On January 16, the Niagara College men's volleyball (7-5, 6th West) program hosted the Redeemer Royals (2-9, 8th West) in front of a large home crowd at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. In a contest closer than the score may suggest, the Knights won 3-1, with set scores of 17-25, 25-17, 32-30, 25-21.
Before the match started, Niagara College hosted their second annual Grad Knight, honouring athletes from fall semester athletics including golf, cross country, and men's and women's soccer. The ceremony drew in a large crowd, who left satisfied after witnessing the Knights improve their home record to 5-1.
Niagara started the match off slow, piling up errors and allowing Redeemer to lead the entire set. "We knew Redeemer would come out with energy," said Knights head coach Nathan Groenveld. "We did not have to play at or above their level; we just needed to play our game.
Georgetown native Jeff Scott dropped a season-high 15 kills while recording his first twenty point game of the season. Jeff and fourth year setter Steve Stone (St. Catharines) were connecting all night long, as Stone finished the match with 48 assists.
First year outside hitter Cole Jordan (London) and third year outside hitter Bret Polfuss (Kitchener) came off the bench in each set and instantly provided a spark for the Knights. Cole finished the game with a season high 11 kills on a very efficient 19 swings.
Once again, the former Guelph Gryphon, Aaron Vanderlugt (Burlington) paced the way defensively for the Knights recording a game-high six stuff blocks. Second year libero Bailey Cochrane (Barrie) was also spectacular defensively, recording a game-high 21 digs.
Up next for the Knights will be a home game against the Fanshawe Falcons (7-3, 3rd West) on January 22.
