The Niagara College women's basketball program is pleased to announce the addition of guard Courtney Kilyk. Kilyk joins the Knights after spending the last four years competing for the St. Francis Xavier X-Women in the Atlantic University Sport conference. She is a graduate of Notre Dame College School in Welland.
The five-foot-eight native of Fonthill will enroll in the Niagara College Exercise Science for Health and Performance post-graduate program beginning in September. She is an accomplished student-athlete known for her tenacious defense and high level of athleticism. Kilyk was finalist for the 2014-15 AUS defensive player of the year award and twice reached the AUS finals in 2013 and 2014.
"Courtney finished four years at St. Francis Xavier and was an outstanding defensive player there" said Niagara College women's basketball head coach Mike Beccaria. "She will bring maturity to a fairly young team, and will certainly fill a void left due to some of our recent graduates. We envision Courtney expanding her game a contributing significantly on offense from the guard position."
"I am hoping to bring a lot of energy, skill and leadership to the court at Niagara College" said Kilyk. "I want to bring my defensive intensity to the game and use my athleticism to create scoring opportunities for both teammates and myself. Being a part of a championship team would be the ultimate goal."
Kilyk is an alumni of both the Pelham Panthers and Niagara Juel clubs systems. She currently serves as a coach with No Limit Performance Basketball in the Niagara Region.
When asked why she chose to continue her education at Niagara College, Kilyk said "having heard so many great things about the Niagara College exercise science for health and performance program. I felt that it would add significantly to my degree in kinesiology. I feel that the program will enhance my knowledge level and benefit me by opening up many more future related employment opportunities."
Kilyk will join a Niagara College women's basketball program that is coming off back-to-back fifth place finishes at the OCAA Championship. The team has already earned a commitment from Niagara Region high school all-star Lauren Frasca (Welland). The team also features a strong returning core including veterans Alyssa McCabe (point guard, Niagara Falls) and Mary Ingribelli (Forward, St. Catharines).
The Knights will return to action when training camp opens on Monday, September 11th at the Welland Campus athletic centre.
