Men's Volleyball: McMaster's Koppers Joins Polish Powerhouse ZAKSA Kedziersyn-Kozle

The PlusLiga team finished second in the Polish top flight and fourth in the CEV Champions League a season ago

The Marauders program that has produced six consecutive OUA titles and national medals continues to churn out successful professionals as well, and those ranks gained a prestigious addition June 13.

2018 Second Team All-Canadian and U SPORTS Championship All-Star Brandon Koppers, who was named as a finalist for McMaster's Ivor Wynne Award in April, signed his first professional contract with Polish PlusLiga runners up ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle, the team announced on their website Wednesday.

"I'm really excited to join a team of this size and calibre," said Koppers. "I've had the chance to watch their matches in the Champions League and PlusLiga, and as soon as my agent mentioned that they were interested in me, it was an easy choice."

"We are very happy for and proud of Brandon," said McMaster head coach Dave Preston. "He has worked very hard for this opportunity."

"I think going from a University program to one of the top four clubs in the world speaks volumes of Brandon's capacity and the level at which he can play our game."

The Georgetown, Ont. native was a three-time OUA all-star over five decorated seasons in maroon, helping his team to conference titles in every campaign he played and taking home one silver (2016) and four bronze (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) medals from the national championship tournament.

He saved his best for his final season as a Marauder, being named a U SPORTS All-Canadian for the first time after leading his team with 4.5 points per set and 3.8 kills per set. Capping his career in style, Koppers exploded for 49 kills and 63 points in McMaster's three matches at the 2018 U SPORTS Championship on home court, emerging with a tournament all-star nod to complement his bronze medal.

Koppers followed in the footsteps of former teammates Jori Mantha, Stephen Maar and Danny Demyanenko, who translated exceptional varsity careers at McMaster into success at the professional level.

But where his fellow Marauders landed in Europe with room to grow, Koppers arrived at one of the top clubs in the world, one fresh from accomplished campaigns both domestically and continentally in 2017-18.

"It's been a process of learning from guys like Jori, Steve and Danny and watching as the program grew with them and with the guidance of Dave Preston," said Koppers. "I'm excited, not just for me and this opportunity, but for the guys younger than me who can hopefully take advantage of where our program is now."

Seven-time champions of the Polish top flight, ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle finished as the PlusLiga's runners up in 2018 after claiming the top prize in both 2016 and 2017. The club played its way to the final weekend of action at the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) Champions League in May, narrowly losing out on continental bronze.

Koppers joined illustrious international company in Kedzierzyn-Kozle, as the club features French national setter Benjamin Toniutti, Belgian outside hitter Sam Deroo, Italian national setter Marco Falaschi and Puerto Rican opposite Maurice Torres.

He will also see a familiar opponent when the PlusLiga season opens, as the long-time star of the Ohio State Buckeyes, French outside hitter Nicolas Szerszen signed with ZAKSA rival Asseco Resovia in May. The two battled seven times in the Marauders and Buckeyes series of international exhibition matches, with Koppers and McMaster winning the last five meetings.

Before making the move to Poland in the fall, Koppers will see out the remainder of the summer at Volleyball Canada's Full-Time Training Centre (FTC) in Gatineau, Quebec, where he is currently a member of Canada's Senior Men's National 'B' Team.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#2 Brandon Koppers: OH; 6' 8"; First Year; 5

Players Mentioned

#2 Brandon Koppers
: 6' 8"; First Year; 5
: OH

Players Mentioned

#2 Brandon Koppers

Players Mentioned

#2 Brandon Koppers