It's been a nearly perfect start to the season for the Niagara Knights men's and women's basketball and volleyball programs. The 2015 fall varsity season saw NC's soccer, golf, and cross country teams all compete in their respective OCAA post-seasons, highlighted by the Knights golf team capturing four provincial and one national medal.
Not to be outdone by the success of their fellow Knights, Niagara College's four volleyball and basketball programs are off to a red hot start, tallying a cumulative record of 13-1 to start the season. More impressive is that fact that all four teams are ranked in the top-six provincially, while the men's volleyball, men's basketball, and women's volleyball programs are all ranked in the top-11 in the CCAA national rankings.
"It's been a fantastic start to the season for each of our two semester programs" said Niagara College's longtime intercollegiate coordinator Ray Sarkis. "There's no questioning that our coaches have done a good job in recruiting and developing some of the top-student athletes in Ontario over the last few years. The outcomes on the court however are the result of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made by the students that have elected to put on the Knights jersey."
The defending OCAA Champion Niagara College men's volleyball program leads the way in terms of early season success. The Knights are off to a 3-0 start including a victory over the CCAA's #8 ranked Fanshawe Falcons, and a pair of three-set sweeps over the St. Clair Saints and Conestoga Condors. The Knights are the OCAA's top-ranked team, and currently sit #3 in the national rankings.
The women's volleyball program is also undefeated to open the season. The Knights are the OCAA's second ranked team and sit 11th in the national rankings. The Knights have dropped just two sets in their three matches against the Falcons, Saints, and Condors. The talented side is looking to improve on their 2015 bronze medal finish at the OCAA Championship.
The Niagara College women's basketball program is set to host the 2016 OCAA Women's Basketball Championship. As the event host, the team will receive an automatic entry into the event. Considering the team's 3-1 start however, the Knights appear determined to earn their way into the eight team tournament. The Knights are ranked #6 in the OCAA and have secured impressive double digit victories over the Cambrian Golden Shield and Redeemer Royals. The team's lone loss came to the fourth ranked St. Clair Saints.
The biggest surprise may be the dominant play of the Niagara College men's basketball program. After back-to-back sub .500 seasons the team is off to a 4-0 start. The Knights' last four game winning streak to open a season came back in 2008, a year that saw the Niagara side capture an OCAA bronze medal. The Knights have reeled off impressive victories over the Cambrian Golden Shield, St. Clair Saints, and most recently a dominant 22 point win over the OCAA's #8 ranked Redeemer Royals. The Knights are ranked #3 in the OCAA and #10 in the CCAA.
The Knights volleyball programs will head to Sudbury this weekend for a pair of league games against the Cambrian Golden Shield and Boreal Vipers, while the basketball programs will have the weekend off from OCAA play. The men's basketball program however will contest a pair of exhibition games against the Oswego State Lakers and Hobart College Statesmen.
The next home games for the Knights are scheduled for Saturday, November 14th at 1:00 and 3:00pm when the men's and women's volleyball programs host the Sheridan Bruins at the Welland Campus athletic centre.
