Nov. 4 Niagara College report: Volleyball and basketball
The Niagara College Knights women’s volleyball team improved to 3-1 in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association play Saturday with a 3-1 victory (14-25, 25-19, 25-20 and 20-17) victory over visiting Fanshawe.
Leading the way for Niagara were: Montanna Taylor with 22 assists, five kills, eight digs, nine points, three blocks and a service ace; Sam Cormier with eight points, four kills, two assists, a dig and four blocks; and, Abbey Gooder with 18 points, 15 kills, a service ace, four digs and two blocks.
“Great response from the ladies after going down the first set. They really showed a lot of fight and grit after that set,” Niagara head coach Steve Stone said. “They put constant pressure on Fanshawe and executed in all aspects of the game with constant high IQ plays.”
Earlier last week, Niagara lost 3-1 (21-25, 22-25, 25-23 and 17-25) to Mohawk.
Leading the way for Niagara in that game were: Natalie Little with 18 points, 13 kills, two service aces, 13 digs and three blocks; libero Emilie Dlouhy with 12 digs and three assists; and, Gooder with 16 points, 16 kills and nine digs.
Gooder was named Niagara College’s Female Athlete of the Week. She had a combined 34 points, 31 kills, 13 digs, two blocks and a service ace against Mohawk and Fanshawe and is third in the OCAA in kills per set and fifth in total kills.
Niagara is at Sheridan Wednesday before hosting Humber Saturday at 1 p.m.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Niagara’s men’s volleyball team (2-2) dropped back to .500 in OCAA play Saturday against visiting Fanshawe with a 3-2 (25-18, 17-25, 17-25, 25-17 and 18-20) loss.
Topping the stat sheet for Niagara were: Wizdom Smith with 14 points, 10 kills, four digs and four blocks; Mitch Churipuy with 12 points, nine kills, two service aces, 15 digs and a block; and, Matthew Perron with 30 assists, six points, four service aces, five digs and two blocks.
“I’m sure that was a fun one for the fans. Tough loss in a five setter but what fight did the boys show,” Stone said. “Down 7-3 in that fifth set, they battled back and had the opportunity to close but couldn’t capitalize. Few untimely errors cost us that one, but nice to know we’re right there with our compete level.”
Earlier in the week, Niagara was swept 3-0 (21-25, 19-25 and 22-25) by Mohawk.
Performing well for Niagara in the loss were: Leiland Parenteau with 12 assists, a dig, a block and a point; Matthew Takacs with nine points, seven kills, two digs and two blocks; and, Riley Orr with seven points, four kills, a dig and three blocks.
Niagara is at Sheridan Wednesday before hosting Humber Saturday at 3 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Niagara’s women’s basketball team (3-0) remained perfect in OCAA action with a 67-34 thumping of visiting Sheridan Saturday.
Leading the way for Niagara were: Lexxus Bell with 14 points; Eremwon Destiny with 12 points and five rebounds; Janee Harrison with 10 points and eight rebounds; Isabelle Sinclair with 10 points and seven rebounds; Jamira Rousseau with seven points; and, Aisja Strachan with seven points and nine rebounds.
Bell was named Niagara’s player of the game.
“We are ecstatic to have another win under our belt at the same time we are always wanting more for ourselves and to be a better team each game so we can only look forward,” Bell said.
Niagara head coach Kimbal Mackenzie was proud of his team’s effort.
“We shared the ball well and had good attention to detail on the defensive side of the ball.”
Niagara is at Humber Saturday.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Niagara’s men’s basketball dropped a 92-88 decision to visiting Sheridan Saturday to drop to 1-2 in OCAA action.
“Not the outcome we wanted but we will definitely learn from our mistakes and move forward. We had some great moments and spurts throughout the game that we will take away but in the end we have to do a better job of taking care of the ball, finishing around the basket and maximizing our efforts for a full 40 minutes,” Niagara head coach Lequan Hylton said. “We will remain confident and continue working hard to improve individually and as a team.”
Leading the way for Niagara were: E.L. Crossley product Riley Bleich with 17 points and 12 rebounds; Skylar Samuel with 16 points and five rebounds; Raheem Dennis with 15 points and 13 rebounds; Kadin Moore with 12 points; and, Bach Yiech with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Beich was named Niagara College’s Male Athlete of the Week.
“This was a strong comeback game for Riley who did not play his regular minutes in the team’s most recent game against Conestoga due to foul trouble,” a Niagara College press release said.
Niagara is at Humber Saturday.
