Western Ontario Athletics

LONDON, Ont. - Top Ontario men's volleyball recruit Garrett May has committed to the Western Mustangs.

May, from Toronto, describes himself as a "very competitive" athlete. 

He will study in Western's Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies, and also received early acceptance to the Ivey HBA program.

"I love to compete in every point. I try my best to work hard at practice and in the games, and I love it when it pays off," he said.

Western men's volleyball head coach Jim Sage said May will make an immediate impact.

"He's one of the top recruits in Canada," Sage said. "We are counting on Garrett to make a contribution for many years to our program."

Sage describes May as a player with "outstanding all-round skills" who can play a number of impact positions.

May said he chose to come to Western for a number of reasons.

"I feel like I fit very well into the team that we will have next year and that we will be extremely competitive," he said. "I'm really looking forward to having Jim as a coach. Also I recieved early acceptance into the Ivey business program which was a big factor for me. Not only can I go to a school that has an already established program in the OUA, but I can also graduate with a very good degree."

A two-time OFSAA gold medallist (2009, 2008) at Birchmount Park, May is a member of the Crush Volleyball Club of the Ontario Volleyball Association, he won silver at the 2010 nationals championship and was named an all-star. He also won an Ontario gold medal in 2010 and won the OVA's Ken Davies Memorial Award.

He said he has several goals while at Western.

"At university I want to become a starter, and eventually win a CIS championship," he said. "Short term, I want to win the U-19 and U-21 World Beach Volleyball Championships. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal at the Olympics."

May is also an accomplished beach volleyball player, carded by Canada's National Beach volleyball team in 2008 and 2009, finishing 9th at the 2009 U-19 World Beach volleyball championships
He is a current member of Canada's national beach volleyball team.

May lives in the Toronto area with his mother Brenda, father John and brother Reed (16).

He said he is excited about the upcoming OUA volleyball season.

"I'm pretty nervous, but I know Jim will get me well prepared for my first match, and it can only get better from there," he said.