February 26, 2019...NORTH BAY, ONT. - On the eve of the opening day of the 2020 OCAA Women's Volleyball Provincial Championship, the participating teams from across the province met for the annual awards banquet to recognize and celebrate the league's most outstanding athletes from this season. The Niagara Knights women's volleyball program, who will be opening their tournament Thursday night with an 8:30pm match with the Durham Lords, had three athletes that were recognized for their quality play this season.
Natasha Desjardins was named an OCAA West Division First Team All-Star for her standout year with the Knights. In her third season representing the blue and white, Desjardins emerged as a leader on and off the court, as well as putting up some impressive numbers in her 17 games this season. The Welland native averaged 3.6 points-per-set, totally 240 points for the year with a 2.93 kill percentage for a total of 196 for the season.
After being named to OCAA West Division All-Rookie team at last year's championship banquet, second-year Libero Madelyn Berg was named an OCAA West Division Second Team All-star this season. The St. Catharines native averaged 3.67 digs per set for a grand total of 235 this season, including a season high 35 on Nov 8th against Mohawk.
Also being honoured was Knights rookie Kristen Oudman(Wainfleet) who put up big numbers in first OCAA season. The first year standout recorded 148 kills this season for an average of 2.14. Oudman averaged 2.7 points-per-set, bringing her total from 18 games to 186.
The Knights finished the regular season with a 12-6 record (fourth in the OCAA West) and earned their berth to the 2020 Championship after sweeping Georgian College in three sets at their cross-over match Feb 22nd. This will be Niagara's sixth apperance after finishing last year's championship as the sliver medalists. Niagara is five-time medalist at the OCAA Championships.
Desjardins, Berg and Oudman will will look to continue their stellar seasons when the Knights take on Durham in the opening round of the OCAA Provincial Championship on Thursday night at Canadore College, the host of the 2020 OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship.
For full stats, results and live stream, please visit the 2020 OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship Page
