Nov. 18 Niagara College report; Basketball, volleyball; curling coach sought
Niagara College’s men’s volleyball team improved to 5-1 in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association play with a 3-0 victory (30-28, 25-17, 25-23) over the visiting Sheridan Bruins (0-5) Saturday night.
“I thought we improved our serve receive from last week’s game, but we still struggled with maintaining the level of focus and intensity needed throughout the match,” Niagara head coach Tommy Sloan said. “We had some opportunities to really take control of the match, but our decision making and communication wasn’t where it needed to be.
“I think our liberos are trending in the right direction and Eli Bugiardini had a solid game for us.”
Performing well for Niagara were: Bugiardini, 12 kills and 19 total points; Samuel Otten, 10 kills, seven digs and three blocks; and, Robbie Zalewski, 33 assists.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Niagara’s women’s volleyball team improved to 4-2 in OCAA action following a 3-2 (18-25, 22-25, 25-15, 26-24 and 15-13) victory at home over Sheridan.
Leading the charge for Niagara were: Natasha Desjardins (Welland), 16 kills and 11 digs for 18 points; Kristen Oudman (Wainfleet), 10 kills, 13 digs and six service aces; Montanna Taylor (St. Catharines), 33 assists; and, Madelyn Berg (St. Catharines), team-leading 17 digs.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Niagara’s men’s basketball team fell to 2-4 on the season following a 95-88 overtime loss Friday night at home to the Humber Hawks.
“This was a tough battle between two equally matched teams,” Niagara head coach Phil Mosley said. “It came down to last possessions and we needed some stops on defence to pull this one out in regulation time. We will use it as learning experience and continue to work and prepare for our next opponents.”
Niagara led 44-41 at the half before the game went to overtime following an 83-83 tie in regulation play.
Leading the way for Niagara were Lequan Hylton, 26 points; Jordon McDonald, 16 points and 19 rebounds; Johnnie Richardson (Saint Paul), eight points; Kevin Cooper, 10 points and eight boards; and, Rahim Bardi (Governor Simcoe), 10 points.
Niagara is at Redeemer (4-2) Nov. 21 and Fanshawe (5-2) Nov. 29.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Niagara’s women’s basketball squad fell to 0-6 on the season following a 105-60 home loss to the unbeaten Humber Hawks.
Niagara had coach coach Chris Rao knew his team was in for a challenge against perennial powerhouse Humber.
“Humber is an excellent team and do a lot of things well,” he said. “It’s good for our players to play against that type of physicality and effort. We have to put that game behind us and get ready to have a good week of practice to get ready for Redeemer.”
Performing well for Niagara were Francine Smith (Denis Morris), 13 points; Mackenzie Schroeder (Eden), 10 points and six rebounds; Terin Hultink (Smithville Christian), nine points and three rebounds; and, Kaisen MacKinnon, six points and five boards.
Niagara is at winless Redeemer Thursday before it is done for the holidays.
“It would be a huge confidence booster for us to get a win in before the break,” Rao said. “We would end this half of the season on a high note for sure.”
CURLING COACH SOUGHT
Niagara College is searching for a head coach for its curling program.
Duties include: developing and implementing an annual training program; supporting and monitoring student-athletes’ academic progress; integrating community programming with the men’s curling program; designing and running grassroots clinics and camps; supporting and acting in accordance to the strategic direction and initiatives as they relate to student/athlete support, general promotions, budget management, appropriate administrative responsibilities, and community/alumni relations; and, leading the program in accordance to Niagara College, OCAA, and CCAA policies and procedures.
Niagara is looking for a coach with a minimum of four years of relevant head coaching experience and applicants should be at a minimum Train to Compete certified equivalent. Previous coaching experience in the CCAA, USPORT and/or elite club level is considered an asset.
Cover letters and resumes should be addressed to Michele O’Keefe, associate director of athletics and recreation to mokeefe@niagaracollege.ca.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Eden graduate Mackenzie Schroeder and Jordon McDonald were Niagara’s athletes of the week last week.
Schroeder had nine points and six rebounds as the women’s basketball team lost 68-55 to Mohawk and McDonald had 24 points, six assists and 11 rebounds in a 77-55 victory over the Mohawk Mountaineers.
Coverage of the Niagara Knights is made possible with the support of the Niagara College Department of Athletics & Recreation. For more information, please visit www.goknights.ca
