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Dane Pischke

Justin Garcia

Bisons' hitter Pischke up for Iwanoczko Award

DANE PISCHKE, a fifth-year right side hitter with the University of Manitoba men's volleyball team, has been named the Canada West nominee for the prestigious Dale Iwanoczko Student-Athlete Award.

Pischke, 22, was also named a Canada West first-team all-star on Friday while teammate and middle hitter Kenny Rooney, 18, was named the Canada West rookie of the year for the 2012-2013 season.

Middle Brendan Black, 20, of the Winnipeg Wesmen was named a second-team all-star.

The 6-foot-7 Pischke, the Bisons co-captain, is the first Bisons player to be named as the Iwanoczko award nominee. Pischke is a four-time CIS academic all-Canadian who has a GPA of 3.61 in Accounting/Finance.

In women's volleyball, Rachel Cockrell of the Bisons and Brandon's Lisa Barclay of the UBC Thunderbirds were named first-team Canada West all-stars while Ozana Nikolic of the Wesmen was named a second-team all-star.

Three Tobans still on ice

THERE are three Manitobans competing in the Canada West conference women's hockey semifinals this weekend. The UBC Thunderbirds, who eliminated the Manitoba Bisons last week, have Winnipeg's Tatiana Rafter and Cailey Hay of Oakbank in the lineup in their best-of-three series in Regina against the Cougars. Rafter finished tied for second in Canada West goal-scoring with 13, behind Hayley Wickenheiser with 16.

The Alberta Pandas, who are inCalgary to face the Dinos, have Tess Houston of Winnipeg.

Fish sign hurler Garcia

RIGHTY Justin Garcia, acquired from the Amarillo Sox last month, has been signed by the Winnipeg Goldeyes for the 2013 American Association season.

Garcia, 26, is expected to fill a position in the starting rotation.

In 22 games last season with Amarillo, including 21 starts, Garcia went 9-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 135 1/3 innings of work.

Giants upgrading park

THE Elmwood Giants Baseball Club announced plans Friday for "a modernization of the facilities around Giants Field."

Much of the estimated $285,000 cost is expected to come from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund of the Western Economic Development Corporation and the City of Winnipeg's Community Improvements Incentive Program.

The project, expected to begin this spring, will include upgrades to the announcing booth and stands, among other areas.

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