Photo: File photo of the 2014 Niagara Region Boys' Volleyball Showcase hosted by the Niagara College Knights men's volleyball program
Second annual high school boys’ volleyball showcase set for Thursday night
Thursday, December 10th will see the Niagara College Knights men’s volleyball program play host to the second annual Niagara Region boys’ volleyball showcase at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. The event will see 32 players representing 16 local high schools showcase the talent level that exists in the Niagara Region’s boys’ volleyball ranks ranging from Grimsby to Port Colborne. First serve for the event is set for 6:00pm.
“This is a fantastic event that really gives Niagara high school boys’ volleyball its moment in the spotlight” said Nathan Groenveld, event organizer and Niagara Knights men’s volleyball head coach. “When our calendar got announced earlier this year, December 10th and the Showcase was a night we circled right away. It’s something our program has really been looking forward to.”
Bragging rights will be on the line as the coaching staff for the match will pit the Knights’ men’s volleyball assistant coaches (Brad Wall and Mike Molnar) against the team’s captains (Steve Stone, Jeff Scott, Nathan Snippe).
Adding additional fuel to the fire is the makeup of the two participating teams. The event saw 16 high school head coaches nominate two players from their respective teams to participate. The two players have in turn been placed on opposing teams to ensure an additional element of friendly competition.
“The 2014 showcase event really was a great evening” continued Groenveld. “It’s important that the Niagara College men’s volleyball program assumes a leadership role in helping develop volleyball across the Region. Additionally, our on-campus community comes together and adds an element of spectacle and professionalism to the night. Everything is designed to reward the participants for their hard work and dedication to the sport.”
The event will be live broadcasted by Niagara College broadcasting, radio, television and film students via the department of athletics and recreation’s website at www.goknights.ca/watchlive. The broadcast features Niagara College students providing play-by-play, colour commentary and in-game interviews with participants.
With the Holiday season fast approaching, the event is also being run in support of the Niagara College Student Administrative Council’s emergency food bank. In order to register for the event, participants are required to make a non-perishable food donation. Attendees will receive a certificate of recognition, a showcase participant t-shirt, and a DVD copy of the live broadcast of the match. A showcase MVP from each team will also be selected.
The event serves as one quarter of the Niagara College Knights’ showcase series started in June of 2014. The Niagara Knights’ soccer programs helmed by Welland native Frank DeChellis have hosted soccer showcase events in 2014 and 2015, while Joey Martins and the Niagara Knights women’s volleyball program hosted the inaugural girls’ volleyball event in April.
First-serve for the second annual Niagara Region boys’ volleyball showcase is set for December 10th at 6:00 pm. Members of the local volleyball community, and all other interested parties are welcome to attend. Admission is free and spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation in support of the SAC food bank. The second annual Niagara Region high school girls’ volleyball showcase is set for March 24th, 2016.
For more information please contact Nathan Groenveld, head coach Niagara College men’s volleyball at ngroenveld@niagaracollege.ca
Below are the team rosters for the 2015 Niagara Region boys’ volleyball showcase:
Team Blue - Assistant Coaches (Brad Wall, Mike Molnar)
Kyle Thiessen, OH, Smithville
Liam Dillon, MB, Jean Vanier
Jordan Pisano, OH, E.L. Crossley
Brodie Down, Grimsby
Aaron Marczi, OH, Beamsville
Nolan Benevento, OH, Sir Winston Churchill
Tanner Schinkel, OH/MB, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach
Jordan Pereira, OH, Eden
Matt Collison, OH, St. Michael’s
Jonny Malley, S, Westlane
Josh Paterson, OH, AN Myer
Wojtek Kowalski, MB, Blessed Trinity
Avery Edge, OH, Centennial
Lucas Romanilli, OH/L, Governor Simcoe
Ivan Peso, MB, Holy Cross
Jacob Minor, S/OH, Port Colborne
James Simpson, OH/S, St Paul
Team White – Team Captains (Steve Stone, Nathan Snippe, Jeff Scott)
Corey Oudman, S/OH, Smithville
Jordan Cosco, S/OH, Jean Vanier
Brock Glenney, OH, EL Crossley
James Kretz, OH, Sir Winston Churchill
Brandon Spoja, Grimsby
Luke Cullis, OH, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach
Mitchell Taylor, S, Eden
Edrick Macdon, S, St. Michael’s
Riley Hostick, MB, Westlane
Tyler Tomson, OH, AN Myer
Frank Elia, OH, Beamsville
Zachary Duff, OH, Blessed Trinity
Brad VanVeen, MB, Centennial
Sam Pearson, MB, Governor Simcoe
Bryson Upper, OH, Holy Cross
Ryan Denby, MB, Port Colborne
Alex Weglen, OH, St. Paul
