For the first time since 2004 the Niagara College Men’s Volleyball Program is ranked as one of the top-15 programs in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.
Tuesday, January 7th saw the Knights enter the CCAA National rankings list as the #14 ranked team in Canada.
After a 1-2 start to the season, the Knights have won 10 of their last 11 games including dominant three-set victories over the CCAA’s #10 ranked Humber Hawks and the #5 ranked Griffons de l’Outaouais.
Most recently the Knights captured a home court tournament championship at the annual Niagara College Invitational held January 4-5 at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. The Knights went 5-0 in the event and lost only two sets in the entire tournament.
Niagara College Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Nathan Groenveld commented, “it is an honour to be mentioned as one of the top teams in the country.”
The program’s success has come at an ideal time, as Niagara College will serve as host for the 2013 Ironwood Wealth Management Group CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship from March 7-9. As host, the Niagara College Men’s Volleyball Program will receive an automatic entry into the event.
Coach Groenveld credits his team’s early season success to “all of the hard work our players put in during the off season.”
The Knights, currently with a regular season record of 6-3 and tied for 3rd in the OCAA West Division begin the second half of the regular season on Wednesday, January 9th when the team visits the Conestoga Condors (0-9).
Head Coach Groenveld feels the National ranking will serve “as motivation to continue working hard, and challenge for the OCAA Championship.”
The Knights will return to the Welland Campus Athletic Centre on Saturday, January 12th at 3:00 pm when the team hosts the Sheridan College Bruins (6-3). All Niagara College Varsity Athletics games feature free admission.