The Niagara Knights men's volleyball program kicks off the 2016-17 OCAA Regular Season against the defending OCAA Champion and CCAA Bronze Medalists on Wednesday night. The Knights travel to London to take on the Fanshawe Falcons.
The Knights, coming off a fourth place finish at the 2016 OCAA Men's Volleyball Championships, will look to get off to a strong start against the Falcons. However the Knights have some big shoes to fill as the season kicks off. Gone from last year's roster are OCAA First-Team All-Star setter Steve Stone and OCAA Second-Team All-Star outsite hitter Nathan Snippe.
Back in the mix is OCAA First-Team All-Star and CCAA All-Canadian Jeff Scott (Georgetown). The 6'4" outside hitter was among team leaders in almost every statistical category last season and led the way in service aces with 15. Scott also became the Knights career leader in a number of statistical categories during the 2015-16 season including points, digs, and games played.
The Knights will be looking to fill the void of Snippe and Stone with incoming first-year players Marcus Francis (Pickering) and setter Treavon Miller-Herrera (Scarborough).
"Marcus is a phenomenal athlete who will be a dynamic net presence attacking and blocking for us," said Knights Head Coach Nathan Groenveld. "Treavon Miller-Herrera is a super skilled player who will play a variety of roles for us throughout our lineup," Groenveld added.
Like any season the Knights ultimately want to contend for an OCAA medal. After their fourth place finished last year Niagara is looking to return to the podium, having won gold at the OCAA Championships and bronze at the CCAA Championships during the 2014-15 season.
"We are going to play an exciting brand of volleyball this season," Groenveld said of his team this season. "The OCAA West Division is very good this year. We will need strong defensively play, which will translate to points on the offensive side of the ball for us."
The Knights kick off the regular season against the top ranked Fanshawe Falcons. They will then travel to Windsor to take on the St. Clair Saints on Sunday, October 30th before returning home.
Niagara will open the home portion of their regular season schedule on November 4th, when they welcome the Mohawk Mountaineers to the Welland Campus Athletic Centre for their home opener. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the door for $5.00 while students and those under the age of 17 are admitted free.
