For the first time in program history, the Niagara Knights men's volleyball team has captured a medal at the CCAA Championship. Saturday, March 14 saw the Knights sweep the St. Clair Saints in the Bronze medal match of the 2015 CCAA Championship hosted by Holland College in Charlottetown, PEI. The set scores were 25-23, 25-21, 25-15. 

"This medal is a major step in what we are trying to develop in our program" said Niagara College men's volleyball coach Nathan Groenveld. "We competed at a high level all season, and this weekend was key in our overall process and will help us move towards where we want to be year in and year out."

During the bronze medal match the Knights were paced by third-year outside hitter Bret Polfuss. The six-foot-one Kitchener native was outstanding for the Knights, most notably serving six straight points late in the third set to help lift his team to victory.

"Bret really stepped up for us late in this season" added Groenveld. "His service and passing game were real difference makers for us."

While many post secondary volleyball programs consistenly turn to one player in key situations, the Knights relied on their overall team depth at both the OCAA and CCAA Championships.

"Even at the end of today we were fresh" said Groenveld. "Every match in this tournament a different player stepped up. Jeff Scott and Cole Jordan were outstanding, while Nathan Snippe gave us key points late in sets. I think the wins today are a testament to the caliber of athlete we have in our program."

After being upset in the opening match by the St. Thomas Tommies, the Knights rattled off three straight victories over teams consistently ranked in the top-10 of the CCAA all season.

The team defeated the University of Alberta-Agustana Vikings on Friday, and the defending champion Red Deer Kings early Saturday afternoon. Niagara then took on the Saints just four hours later.

Cole Jordan, a six-foot-four rookie outside hitter from London, was named a CCAA Championship first team all-star, while team captain Jeff Scott (Georgetown) was selected as a second team all-star.

The Limoilou Titans were defeated by the Camosun Chargers in the gold medal match. 

Photo credit: Joel Ophardt