Nov. 11 Niagara College report: Hoops and volleyball
The Niagara College Knights men’s volleyball team has a record of 3-3 after splitting a pair of matches last week.
Niagara opened the week with a 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-10 and 25-23) of the Sheridan Bruins followed by a 3-0 loss (25-27, 31-33 and 14-25) to the Humber Hawks.
“The boys came ready to play but we need to seize the opportunities we have to close those tight games. Third set is a bit of a wash after two tight sets,” Niagara head coach Steve Stone said after the loss to Humber. “It can be really tough to get back up and compete after those first two, but we know we need to be better end execute when it matters.”
Leading the way for Niagara versus Sheridan were: Ashton Nieuwets with 17 points on 12 kills, four service aces, two digs and a block; Liam Marchetti with nine points on four kills, three service aces, an assist and two blocks; and, Matthew Perron with 26 assists and four digs.
Top performers versus Humber were: Matthew Takacs with 11 points on 11 kills; Matthew Perron with 23 assists and three points, three service aces and three digs; and, Riley Orr with five points on four kills and a block.
Niagara is at Redeemer Wednesday and St. Clair Sunday.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Niagara’s women’s volleyball team (4-2) also split its games last week, defeating the Sheridan Bruins 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-17 and 25-11) and falling 3-0 (18-25, 17-25 and 21-25) to the Humber Hawks.
“We didn’t exactly execute how we would have liked in the first two sets. We gathered ourselves and put a better game together in the third but there is a reason Humber is the top program. We’ve got to be better and ready to execute on every point,” Stone said.
Toppiong the stat sheet versus Sheridan were: Montanna Taylor with 26 assists and five points on five kills; Abbey Gooder with 14 points, 10 kills, four digs, two blocks and two service aces; and, Natalie Little with 13 points, eight kills, three blocks, two service aces, a dig and an assist.
Against Humber: Taylor had 20 assists and two points on two kills and a dig; Sam Cormier had five points on four kills, one assist, one block and a dig; and, Tess Kelly with eight points on six kills and two blocks.
Niagara is at Redeemer Wednesday and St. Clair Sunday.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Niagara’s men’s basketball team fell to 1-3 in OCAA action following a 83-74 loss to the Humber Hawks.
Playing well for Niagara were: Raheem Dennis with 19 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block in 32 minutes; Khayden Stewart with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 30 minutes; and, Isiah Panom with 13 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes.
Stewart was named Niagara’s male athlete of the week.
“Returning from a two-game absence due to injury, Khayden provided a stable base for the Knights as they travelled to Humber over the weekend. Khayden filled the stat sheet as the team gave a valiant effort to try to take down the undefeated Hawks,” a college press release said.
The Knights are at Mohawk Wednesday before hosting Canadore Sunday at 1 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Niagara’s women’s basketball team (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a 64-51 decision to the Humber Hawks.
“Give Humber credit. They played a good game, shot the ball well and brought more aggressiveness. We will use the loss as a learning experience and continue to try and get better every day,” Niagara head coach Kimbal Mackenzie said.
Leading the way for Niagara were: Janee Harrison with 13 points, nine rebounds and four steals in 35 minutes; Eremwon Destiny with six points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals in 28 minutes; and, Aisja Strachan with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal in 13 minutes.
Strachan was named Niagara’s female athlete of the week.
“Aisja came off the bench in the game against Humber last week and gave the Knights a huge spark as they battled hard. Her determination on the court was noticed as she continually makes a strong impact on the team in her first year as a Knight,” a college press release said.
Niagara is at Mohawk Wednesday.
