2024 Games
UBCO alum Jenn Oakes captures Paralympic bronze medal in sitting volleyball
Oakes becomes first UBC Okanagan Heat alum to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal as Canada defeats Brazil in straight sets in Paris.
UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball alum Jenn Oakes and the Canadian women's sitting volleyball team won the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on September 7, defeating Brazil 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-18) to earn the country's first-ever Paralympic medal in sitting volleyball.
Not only did Oakes make Canadian history, she also made UBC Okanagan history, becoming the first Heat alum to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal.
"We could not be more proud of Jenn and all that she has accomplished," commented Heat head coach Steve Manuel, who coached Oakes during her two years with UBCO. "This medal is the culmination of eight to nine years of hard work for her and her teammates. When she started, Canada was not yet in the conversation on the world stage. But now they are a powerhouse in the world of sitting volleyball and Jenn is a huge part of that success."
Oakes, who suited up for the Heat in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, was one of three Canadian players to record 10-plus points in the victory as she finished the match with 12 points. She also added eight blocks, the second-most on the team.
The victory earned some redemption for the Canadians after suffering a loss to the Brazilians in the round robin. But that wasn't the only redemption after losing the bronze medal game to them at the 2020 Paralympics. Canada's win prevented Brazil from winning a third-straight bronze medal.
For Canada, the result continues their run of steady improvement in the event over the past three Paralympic games. The team finished seventh in Rio 2016 before a fourth place showing in Tokyo in 2020.
"We finally did it," Team Canada head coach Nicole Ban reflected after the victory. "We showed up in our third Paralympic Games, our second bronze medal match, and we did it. We won. I couldn't be prouder of the athletes today, but really for the growth that we've had over the nine and a half years that I've been with the program and honestly, most of this core group has been here through it.
"We've felt the highs and we've felt the lows and I hope that bringing back a bronze medal to Canada can only increase the awareness for young kids with disabilities in our country. Hopefully, they're tuned in today or they watch a highlight or they see something on Instagram and they want to come out and be like the heroes that were out there on the court today. I couldn't be prouder of a group of athletes to advocate off-court and to compete like crazy on court."
With files from Volleyball Canada.
