Thursday, December 10th saw the Niagara College Knights men’s volleyball program play host to the second annual Niagara Region High School Boys Volleyball Showcase at the Welland Athletic Centre. The event saw 36 of the Region’s best players representing 16 schools come together to demonstrate the volleyball talent that exists across Niagara.
The format saw 16 schools ranging from Grimsby to Port Colborne to Niagara Falls send two players who were separated onto Team Blue (coached by the Knights men’s volleyball assistant coaches) and Team White (coached by the Knights’ team captains). The match ran a guaranteed five sets, and the experience of the Knights’ coaching staff paid off as Team Blue secured the 4-1 victory.
“Today is about bringing together a group of bright and talented young men for a night of fun and friendly competition” said Niagara College men’s volleyball head coach Nathan Groenveld. “Each of these individuals dedicates themselves to their studies and the sport that they love from September through November, and tonight serves as a formal acknowledgement of their accomplishments.”
The coaches of the two teams were tasked with selecting MVPs from their respective sides. The victorious team Blue MVP was presented to St. Catharines native Lucas Romanelli (Governor Simcoe), while the Team White accolade went to Smithville’s Corey Oudman (Smithville District).
Playing in just his first year of organized volleyball Romanelli led the match finishing with 11 digs
“I was really nervous coming into the game there are some really great players” said the grade nine libero after the match. “When my coached asked me to participate I thought the game was for juniors. Then I saw the rosters and player’s names like Corey (Oudman), and I knew tonight was going to be fun.”
On the other end of the age spectrum grade 12 student Corey Oudman entered the match with significantly more experience than his MVP counterpart Romanelli. “I’ve been playing for a few seasons with the Niagara Rapids so I knew quite a few of the players out there tonight” said Oudman a high flying outside hitter who is considering attending institutions including Western, UBC, Waterloo, and McMaster to study Engineering. “I’m considering continuing with volleyball but it depends on my school schedule.”
E.L. Crossley outside hitter Jordan Pisano led all players in scoring finishing with a match high eight kills, while St. Paul setter James Simpson demonstrated his playmaking skills turning in a match high 13 assists.
“The match is just a fun night for everyone involved including the participants, our men’s volleyball program who staffs the event, and everyone from the volleyball community who supports the cause” continued Groenveld.
There was no cost for selected players to compete in the event, but participants were asked to make a non-perishable food donation to the Niagara College Student Administrative Council emergency food bank. Over 150 food items were collected in support of the cause.
“It’s really cool playing in a game like this” continued Romanelli who has aspirations of studying sports medicine or kinesiology at the post-secondary level. “All of the other guys are really friendly and supportive, and playing in front of the cameras like we did tonight really motivates you to play better.”
The event was filmed and live broadcasted by Niagara College broadcasting students, and was livestreamed via the Knights official website at www.goknights.ca. The game was also photographed by students enrolled in the Niagara College photography program. All participants will receive a DVD copy of the showcase match and an archived broadcast of the game can be found online here. Photos from the match will be available for download at www.gonkights.ca.
