Morgan Nichols will stay home and play for the Heat next fall

KELOWNA, BC - The Heat men's volleyball program have added Kelowna Volleyball Club (KVC) product Morgan Nichols, a setter graduating from George Elliot Secondary, to their 2017/18 roster.

Nichols, standing 6'2", will bring a breadth of volleyball experience to UBC Okanagan next season. On top of his success with George Elliot, for which he was named an All-Star, he has played three years with the Kelowna Volleyball Club, three years with the Team B.C. program, and was selected to the Youth National Development Program.

Asked about Nichols' joining the Heat program, his future coach Brad Hudson said, "Morgan has tremendous potential. He is a gifted athlete who, in time, will run a fast, balanced offence that will keep our offence guessing. Morgan is also our first local recruit and I am grateful he chose to represent our community here at UBCO."

Morgan himself commented on his being a local recruit, citing it as a major factor in his decision. "It's close to home so I can for one live at home, but also my family can come watch more games than if I left. It also comes with a very good education."

On what exactly that education will include, Morgan is as yet undecided specifically, though he plans to go into the general Arts program.

Not only is Morgan is the first Okanagan player in the Heat's sizable recruiting class he is also the first. The rest of the recruiting class is as follows:

Caleb Funk (6-7 M, Strathmore); Zach Gotmy (5-10 L, Calgary-Western Canada High); Max Heppell (6-4 LS, Langley-Langley Fundamental); Lucas Robertson (6-4 S, Edmonton-Strathcona Composite High, Grand Prairie Regional College); Tristan Simmonds (6-2 LS, Edmonton- Grand Prairie-Grand Prairie Composite High, Grand Prairie Regional College); Shawn Zhao (6-7 M, Richmond-R.A. McMath).

The upcoming season schedule for the Canada West volleyball team will be released on Wednesday, June 21st. Check for details at goheat.ca.