Tuesday, March 21^st saw the Niagara College Welland Campus Athletic Centre play host the 3^rd annual Niagara Region Girls' Volleyball Showcase. The event, hosted by the Niagara Knights women's volleyball program saw 20 of the top high school girls volleyball players from across the Niagara Region display the high level of play that's exists in 13 of the area's local high schools.

The two teams were coached by members of the OCAA Bronze medal winning Knights' women's volleyball program. Graduating veterans Linnea Davis and Sami Bailey served as the coaches of one side, while 2017 CCAA All-Canadian Jordan Koslowski and rookie standout Sahara Aburaneh helmed team two. Team Jordan and Sahara won the match four sets to zero.

"This is a fantastic event that I am proud to be a part of" said Nathan Janzen the first year head coach of the Niagara College women's volleyball program. "The talent level that exists across Niagara is tremendous, and tonight is designed to serve as a notice to the rest of the Region's sports community of the high level of competition that we are fortunate enough to have."

Maggie Tschakovsky (Grimsby Secondary School) of team Linnea and Sami was named her team's player of the game for the event, while Sadie Dick (Governor Simcoe) of Team Jordan and Sahara captured the accolade for her side. Tschakovsky, a grade 11 outside hitter who also competes for the Niagara Rapids volleyball club led her team finishing with seven kills and one service ace. While Dick an outside hitter, who is only in grade 10, finished with a match high eight kills.

The towering six-foot-one Dick has been playing volleyball for just four years, but the Niagara Rapids club standout has lofty aspirations of earning a post-secondary scholarship, and competing for the Canadian Senior women's national program.

"Today was a fun night" commented Dick. "This event shows the community environment that volleyball has in Niagara and tonight was great. It was an awesome experience to compete with players that are normally your opponents. It's just really awesome to see volleyball have a night in the spotlight" added Dick during a post-match interview.

Welland native Natasha Desjardins of the Jean Vanier Lynx was competing in her second Niagara Region Volleyball Showcase. The five-foot-nine Mountain Volleyball Club player was competing in the Niagara College athletic centre for the first time since signing a letter of intent to compete for the Knights beginning in September.

"I was so nervous competing in this gym, knowing that I will be playing here next year" commented Desjardins. "I really love the showcase game, and I'm excited to join Niagara beginning next year."

Desjardins finished the game with four kills and a match high eight service aces. While team Jordan and Sahara teammates: Tamara Edwards (Eden) four kills and seven service aces, Nicole Pirillo (Thorold) three kills and seven aces, and Kaelen Emslie (Laura Secord) and Hayley Nicholas (El Crossley) three kills each, rounded out the scoring attack.

The offensive game of team Linnea and Sami consisted of Grace Pyatt (Thorold) five kills, Trinity Lougheed (Laura Secord) three kills three aces, Caitlyn Hamm (Ridgeway-Crystal Beach) four kills, and Edona Demiri three kills.

Below is a list of the full rosters of both teams:

Team Linnea and Sami                 

Team Jordan and Sahara