The Niagara College women's volleyball (10-3, 2nd West) program extended their current win-streak to three games, as they defeated the Fanshawe Falcons (3-8, 7th West) Thursday evening at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. For the seventh time this season, the Knights have won a match in straight sets, defeating the Falcons 25-19, 25-15, 25-8. The win puts Niagara College into a tie for second place with the Sheridan Bruins (10-3).
The Knights started the game off slow, unable to find their serves, creating errors and giving easy points to Fanshawe. After a short rally by Niagara, the Knights took control of the game and never looked back. The dominant performance by the Knights in the second and third sets demonstrated how much work they put into practice during the week. "We took this week to really work on our blocking, defence, and coverage of our hitters," said fourth year head coach Joey Martins. "We executed all three aspects exceptionally well because we defended 33 balls, which meant we were in great positions and reading the game well."
Setter Bailey Davis (Georgetown), the OCAA leader in assists with 367, recorded another 24 against Fanshawe, while adding in three service aces. Former Brock Badger Lucy McLay (Stratford) had 13 points in the match, her eleventh time this season recording in double digits. First year middle blocker Shaniah Wielink (Vineland) tied her season-high with two stuff blocks in the match.
Fanshawe's fifth year middle blocker Stephanie Bignell (Drayton) recorded three stuff blocks in the match, tying her with former Durham player and current Seneca assistant coach Mandi Doris, for first all-time with 217 career stuff blocks. The next block by Bignell will put her into sole possession of the record.
The next three OCAA regular season matchups for the Knights will be on the road before ending the season with two games at home. On January 31, Niagara College will be on the road to face Cambrian College.
