Nov. 6 Niagara College roundup
Niagara’s men’s volleyball squad (3-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association play following a 3-2 (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 18-25 and 10-15) home loss to Conestoga (3-1).
“What a fun atmosphere to play in in front of a gym full of Knights fan on a home opener. It doesn’t get any better than that,” Niagara head coach Steve Stone said. “I thought the boys came out prepared and executed extremely well. However, midway through the third set, we let off the gas and we weren’t able to execute the response we needed to. A tough one for sure but a lot of things to learn from that game to get better for the next one.”
Leading the team in kills were Elijah Bugiardini with 12 and Ashton and Micah Nieuwets with seven each.
Top point getters were Bugiardini (13), Ashton Nieuwets (12) and Micah Nieuwets (7).
Recording the most digs were Matthew Perron (12), Micah Nieuwets (11) and Ashton Nieuwets (9).
Contributing the most assists were Perron (19) and Carter Thurman (14).
Niagara hosts Cambrian (3-2) Friday at 8 p.m.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Niagara’s women’s volleyball squad (3-1) saw its three-game OCAA winning streak end with a 3-0 (11-25, 24-26 and 21-25) sweep at the hands of Conestoga (3-1).
“Despite the outcome, the resiliency of our athletes was evident as they continue to give it their all. We may not have secured the win today, but Conestoga was a strong opponent and this loss will help us grow and adapt as the season progresses,” Niagara head coach Elaine Pilgrim-Susi said. “It’s a tough first loss at home, but we are focused on learning from this match and working hard to make the necessary adjustments going forward.”
Leading the team in kills were Abbey Gooder (9) and Sam Cormier (5).
Top point getters were Gooder (10) and Cormier (7).
Recording the most digs were Gooder (10), Kyrah Cameron (7) and Montanna Taylor (5).
Contributing the most assists was Taylor (17).
Niagara hosts Cambrian (2-3) Friday at 6 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The Niagara College women’s basketball team fell to 2-2 in OCAA play with a 66-63 home loss to Lambton (4-0).
“It was an awesome basketball game, two teams playing at a high level for this time of year. I’m proud of our group and the way we competed and locked into the game plan for the majority of the game. Diana Saoud was excellent for us off the bench. She’s really finding her ability to impact a game positively for us,” Niagara head coach Chris Rao said. “Lambton is a good team and (Breanna) Pretty is an all-star level player along with talented returners and transfers, it’s impossible to keep them down the whole game but I thought we defended really well. It’s a tough way to lose a basketball game. We put ourselves in a position to win and it just didn’t go our way. We will take the lessons from a game like this and move forward together working on getting better every day.”
Top performers for the Knights were: Saoud with 19 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of playing time off the bench; Janee Harrison with 12 points and eight rebounds; Lexxus Bell with 11 points and five rebounds; and, Jamira Rousseau and Taryn Mitchell with seven points each.
Saoud was named Niagara’s female athlete of the week.
“She provided strong energy off the bench and guarded some of the opponents’ best players in multiple positions on the court,” Rao said.
Niagara is at Fanshawe (1-2) Saturday.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Knights men’s basketball team (2-2) saw its two-game winning streak come to an end with an 90-81 home loss to Lambton (3-1).
“A disappointing loss at home. Lambton shot the ball very well and unfortunately we did not answer down the stretch,” Niagara head coach Phil Mosley said. “This game is evidence that every opponent in the West Division is tough and you must bring your best every night. We will rebound and refocus to get ready for Fanshawe next Saturday.”
Leading the way for Niagara were: Raheem Dennis with 21 points; Ethan Alino Dela Cruz with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists; Kenneth Reckley Jr. with 13 points and eight rebounds; and, Reggie Williams with 12 points.
Alino Dela Cruz was named Niagara’s male athlete of the week.
“He brought fantastic energy and speed to the game coming in off the bench,” Mosley said.
The Knights are at Fanshawe (2-2) Saturday.
