The Niagara College Knights men's volleyball team is back in the win column after posting an impressive 3-1 win over the visiting Conestoga Condors. The Knights came out very flat in the first set losing 14-25, but rebounded winning the next three 25-18, 25-22, 25-22.
Despite a mental lapse in the first set, Head Coach Nate Groenveld felt the 2-2 Knights showed "better rhythm, and seem to be figuring out the team's system."
With 6 first year players including 2 starters on the roster, Groenveld and the rest of the Knights coaching staff expects some early season road bumps, but noted "our young players seem to be growing up in a hurry."
With a young group of players on the court in the first set, the Knights turned to a trio of veterans for a spark in the 2nd and 3rd sets. "Zachary Weening, Dave Sagloski and Bret Polfuss give us great veteran depth off the bench, and they came in and gave us a few runs of 3 and 4 points" said Groenveld.
The veteran presence for the Knights paid off as the team played some of their strongest volleyball of the season in the 4th and 5th sets of the match.
The Knights were led offensively by 5th year outside hitter Shayne Petrusma. The current Niagara College Male Athlete of the Week finished the game with 17 kills, 2 service aces, and 6 digs. Also recording a strong game defensively for the Knights was first year Protection, Security and Investigation student Cam Chitty. The Welland native finished the match with a team high 12 digs.
Moving forward, Groenveld feels the win will build some confidence that "will allow us to play better against Humber."
The Knights have a few days off before they host the defending CCAA Champion Humber Hawks on Friday, November 16th at 8:00pm. The evening will also feature the women's volleyball team promoting pediatric brain tumor and child cancer awareness in support of the Team Kelsey initiative.
For more information about Team Kelsey please visit http://bit.ly//NrdZvo.
