The Niagara College men's volleyball program improved to 2-0 on the season with an impressive three set sweep over the visiting St. Clair Saints on Sunday, October 25th. The set scores in the contest were 25-20, 25-19, 25-21.
The match last just 64 minutes, and the Knights controlled the game from the opening serve using their team depth and roster flexibility as 12 players saw the court for the defending OCAA Champion Knights.
"As a team we hit efficiently and scored points when we needed to" said Niagara College men's volleyball head Coach Nathan Groenveld. "We got the win, gave some of our talented younger players some key experience, and maintained our focus. Overall the day was a success."
The Knights were led by first-year outside hitter Matt Friesen. The Grunthal, Manitoba native gave the Knights seven kills on just eight swings. Friesen played previously with the Provindence College Pilots in the Manitoba College Athletic Conference, before enrolling at Niagara prior to this season.
Fellow Manitoba native Garrett Suderman quarterbacked the Knights offense in the affair. The six-foot-two setter finished with an impressive 26 assists in just three sets.
Towering six-foot-six middle blocker Shonari Hepburn also finished seven of eight in attacks. He also added a stuff block to lead the team with eight points. Despite being in just his first year of post-secondary volleyball, Hepburn is off to a fantastic start averaging nine points per match.
"We need to continue working on our system and maintain our overall focus on the season long process" continued Groenveld. "But we are off to a solid start and will look to continue our success against a solid Conestoga side next weekend."
The Knights will have a full week of rest before hosting the Conestoga Condors on Sunday, November 1st at 3:00pm. New for the 2015-16 season all Niagara Knights home games can be watched live at www.goknights.ca/watchlive. Admission to all Knights home games is free for all students and those under the age of 17 and $5.00 for all other spectators.
