The Niagara College men's volleyball program is pleased to announce the addition of outside hitter Matt Friesen. Friesen spent the 2014-15 season competing as a member of the Providence Pilots in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference, where he was named an All-Conference All-Star.
Standing at six-foot-two, Friesen will line up on the leftside for the reigning OCAA Champion Knights beginning in October of 2015. The Grunthal, Manitoba native possesses an impressive high school, club, and post-secondary volleyball resume that includes MCAC all-star and athlete of the week selections, Providence College Rookie of the Year and Men's Volleyball MVP awards, and multiple provincial medals at the Manitoba club and high school levels.
"I wanted to go to a college with a balance between good academics and a strong athletic program and Niagara College provides both" said Friesen. "I want to play in truly competitive post-secondary league, and I believe the OCAA is better fit for me and will push me to reach my full potential."
Friesen joins a Niagara Knights men's volleyball program that has lost just 14 games over the last three seasons. During that same period the Knights have won 40 regular season matches, made two national championship appearances (2013 and 2015), captured an OCAA West Region title (2013), an OCAA gold medal (2015), and a CCAA bronze medal (2015).
"Matt is an excellent passing and ball control outside hitter that also brings a dynamic ability to score" said Niagara College men's volleyball head coach Nathan Groenveld. "He is a high character individual that has demonstrated the ability to excel both athletically and academically at the post-secondary level. We are excited to have him join our program this season."
Friesen will be the second Manitoba native to suite up for the Knights in 2015-16, following setter Garret Suderman in 2014. "Garrett Suderman is a former club teammate of mine and he attended Niagara this past year. He had a great experience, and him being at Niagara was also a deciding factor for me" added Friesen.
Friesen will enroll in the Niagara College general business program beginning in September. When asked about his goals for the upcoming season, he replied "I want to do whatever it takes to contribute to the success of the team. I think that Coach Nathan Groenveld will teach me a lot considering his impressive accomplishments during his volleyball career."