The CCAA's number two ranked Niagara College men's volleyball program moved to 5-0 on the season after Sunday's 3-1 defeat of the 2012-13 OCAA Silver medalist Mohawk Mountaineers. The set scores in the match were 25-17, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21.
Despite the victory Niagara College men's volleyball head coach Nathan Groenveld was quick to praise the performance of the visiting Mountaineers. "It was a hard fought game all around. Mohawk was able to dictate the pace and style of play for the majority of the night. They dug a ton of balls and forced us to work very hard for every point. I don't think we actually ever got to a point where we found our rhythm or forced our will on the match."
The athletic Knights were again paced by veteran outside hitter Daniel Groenveld. The six-foot-four native of Welland finished the match with 17 kills and two service aces. The general business student was named Niagara College athlete of the week for his performance.
The 5-0 record maintains the Knights' position of first place in the OCAA West Division. The five wins to start the season gives the Knights their best start since the 2000-2001 season that saw the team finish with an undefeated record.
Despite the strong start, Coach Groenveld is fully aware of the high competition level that exist in the OCAA West Division this season. "These types of matches are very important to our development as a team. It is matches like this that help us to find different ways to win against different types of teams and systems. Mohawk is a top team in the very competitive and deep OCAA West.
With a large crowd on hand, the match between the Knights and Mountaineers served as part of a fundraising and awareness effort for Remembrance Day 2013 and Veteran's Affairs Canada held by the Niagara College department of athletics & recreation.
Coach Groenveld continued "there are times when sport allows us to contribute to a cause greater then ourselves. Tonight, with proceeds going to the local Legion, was a night where we can sit back and reflect on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and all those who have given to defend our freedom."
The Knights will return to action on Thursday, November 14th when the team hosts the Sheridan Bruins at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre at 8:00pm. Admission is free for all Niagara College students and for those unable to be in attendance all games are live broadcasted and archived at www.ocaatv.com.
Further details about the Niagara College department of athletics & recreation fundraising efforts for Remembrance Day 2013 and Veteran's Affairs Canada to follow.
