After his team posted one of the program's best records of the past 20 years, Phil Hudson has been recognized with a major award.
 
Hudson, the head coach of the Winnipeg Wesmen women's volleyball team, was named the sport's Canada West conference coach of the year, it was announced Thursday. 
 
Hudson, in his fourth year as the coach of the Wesmen, helped lead the team to a tie for the program's best winning percentage of the 21st century. 
 
The Wesmen went 18-6 in conference play, matching the .750 win percentage of the 2003-04 team. The Wesmen finished fourth in the Canada West standings, earning a home date to open the post-season, marking the first time since 2011-12 the Wesmen hosted a match in the playoffs. 
 
Winnipeg then beat the Fraser Valley Cascades in a best-of-three quarter-final to advance to the program's first conference semifinal since the 2011-12 season.
 
The Wesmen are now in position to qualify for nationals as they host the Manitoba Bisons for the Canada West bronze medal and the conference's final berth into the eight-team tournament. 
 
Hudson's team was one of the best defensive teams in Canada, ranking fifth in U Sports in total blocks and leading the country in digs. The Wesmen were also ninth in the nation in kills per set.

Tickets for Friday night's match against the Bisons are available online now.