The NAIT Ooks men's volleyball team is coming into the 2022/23 season on a high note. The team ended the 2021-22 regular season in first place, granting them the right to host the ACAC Championship. The NAIT Ooks earned the ACAC silver medal.

The NAIT Ooks, led by Head Coach Jordan Taylor, are coming back strong this season in hopes of winning the ACAC Championship and punching their pass to the CCAA National Tournament.

Most of the NAIT Ooks team is back for another season, but with the few spots they had, they loaded them with influential recruits.

"We have a nice blend of young and experienced new players this season, and we brought in some more size. Jarod Robert is coming off a full summer with the New Zealand National Team Program, where he spent time with both their Senior and Junior teams and was an impact player with their U20 National team squad that competed in some international tournaments over in Australia. He is a gifted jumper with a heavy arm, and we expect him to contribute greatly for us this year. We also have high hopes for six-foot-five first-year's Noah Steppan and Aiden Wright. We were thrilled that they chose NAIT and know they will be great for us both short and long term," said Jordan Taylor.

The 2021-22 season was a huge turning point for the NAIT Ooks men's volleyball. It was the first time in over 40 years that the team made it to the ACAC Championship Gold Medal Game. The team has created a hardworking culture and knows what it takes to win.

"Given the age of our team, there is no question we are all in this year. With the majority of our ACAC Silver Medal team returning from last year, we are in a good spot to contend again for a championship. Other teams in our league also improved, and the ACAC is looking very strong this year as a whole, so it won't be easy. But our scars from losing the ACAC final at home last year are still there as a daily reminder, and our group feels that we have unfinished business and are more determined than ever to win a National Championship," said Taylor.

Last year, the NAIT Ooks had four players named to the ACAC all-conference team. All four players are returning to the roster: Karter Godin, Ross Bishop, Carter Hills, and Shae McIntyre. McIntyre was also named a CCAA All-Canadian. With the solid returning talent and the highly sought-after recruits, the Ooks don't want to just stack up against the ACAC; they want to play the best of the best this season.

"We are headed down to San Diego, California, at Christmas break for eight days to take on some of the best College and University teams in the country, which should be a great test to see where we stack up on the national scale," said Taylor.

The NAIT Ooks volleyball season goes from October 14th to February 10th. The ACAC Championship will take place February 23-25, 2023, at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The 2022/23 men's volleyball season will come to a close at the CCAA National Tournament in Etobicoke, ON, at Humber College from March 8-11, 2023.

The NAIT Ooks home-opener is Friday, October 14th, at 8 PM. Catch the action in person, on ACACTV or Telus Optik channel 1998.