Feb. 18 Niagara College report

Niagara College’s mixed doubles curling team of McKenna McGovern and Benjamin Jones topped the field at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championships in Peterborough.

McGovern and Jones went 7-0 in round-robin play to advance to the semifinals against Niagara’s second mixed doubles team of Chloe Johnstone and Adam Rolson. They won 8-2. In the final, McGovern and Jones scored three in an extra end to defeat Humber One 8-5. Johnston and Rolson, who finished tied for third in pool play with a 4-3 record, lost the bronze final 10-2 to Humber Two.

McGovern was named the tournament’s female MVP for her play at the event.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Niagara’s women’s volleyball team clinched fourth place with a 3-2 victory over Cambrian College (24-26, 28-30, 25-15, 25-17 and 15-5) and a 3-0 sweep of the Boreal Vipers (25-13, 25-17 and 25-22).

Niagara’s top point scorers against Cambrian were Victoria Golebiowski (26), Kristen Oudman (14), Natasha Desjardins (14) and Montanna Taylor (13).

Leading the way in points for Niagara against Boreal were Kendra Adams (17), Anica Haberstock (9) and Veronika Latawiec (7).

After the Boreal game, graduating seniors Ainsleigh Williams, Latawiec, Marissa Steele and Taylor Morrison were honoured for their time at Niagara.

Niagara finished with a 12-6 record and will host the Georgian Grizzlies (11-7), who were fifth in the East Division, Saturday at 1 p.m.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Niagara’s men’s volleyball team closed out its regular season by defeating Cambrian 3-0 (25-8, 25-10 and 25-23) and Boreal 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-18).

Leading the way in points for Niagara against Cambrian were Elijah Bugiardini (20), Colin Prelaz (6), Robert Zalewski (5) and Mitchell Sawatsky (5).

“We wanted to make sure that we continued our momentum and good habits that we’ve been working on over the past couple weeks and I think we did a good job of that,” Niagara head coach Tommy Sloan said after the Cambrian match. “With our playoff picture essentially set, we were able to rest a few guys and get some playing experience for some players that haven’t had as many opportunities this season.

“It was a good test of our team’s ability to communicate and generate our own energy and we were fairly successful at that.”

Top point getters for Niagara versus Boreal were Sam Otten (18), Bugiardini (15) and Kyle Thiessen (7).

“We got great performances from all of our seniors, including both Eli Bugiardini and Sam Otten, surpassing 240 points on the season,” Sloan said. “We feel good about entering the crossover weekend healthy and on a bit of a winning streak.”

Sawatsky, a four-year Knight, was honoured as a graduating senior along with Bugiardini and Otten.

Niagara ended up third in the OCAA West Division with a 12-6 record and will host the George Brown Huskies in an OCAA qualifier Saturday at 3 p.m. The Huskies finished sixth in the OCAA East Division with a 9-9 record.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Niagara’s men’s basketball team kept its playoff hopes intact with an 89-62 romp over Canadore College.

“We were able to shake off some early game rust and pick up our intensity defensively, allowing us to cruise for the victory,” Niagara head coach Phil Mosley said. “We are still working towards a solid finish to the regular season and remain in contention for a playoff spot.”

Top performers for Niagara in the win were: Rahim Bardi, 22 points and seven rebounds; Lequan Hylton, 13 points and 10 assists; Daniel Lokole, 13 points and six rebounds; and, Johnnie Richardson, 13 points.

Niagara holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the OCAA West Division with a 7-11 record. The Knights play Redeemer (14-4) Wednesday and Mohawk (12-6) Saturday. Ninth-place Conestoga (6-12) plays Lambton (11-8) Saturday and St. Clair (13-5) Sunday.