Saturday, February 17th saw the Niagara Knights women's volleyball program advance to this year's OCAA Championships after completing the 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the hometown Algonquin Thunder. The final set scores between Algonquin and Niagara were 25-23, 25-20, 12-25, 25-27 and 8-15.
Niagara looked sloppy at the beginning of Saturday's matchup against Algonquin, missing on key opportunities that resulted in the program going down 2-0. The Knights needed an answer for the Thunder attack, as a third set loss would end their playoff hopes.
During the third set, the women would round into form dominating the Thunder to a 25-12 set victory. Niagara was on the brink of elimination and needed to continue their strong play heading into the fourth.
The beginning of the fourth didn't go as planned for the Knights as sloppy play and unforced turnovers led the program to a 23-19 deficit. With their playoff hopes on the ropes, the Knights rallied as a group and came out of the fourth with a thrilling 27-25 set victory.
Niagara would take care of business in the fifth, taking the final set 15-8 for the match victory.
The Knights were paced offensively by their outside hitting duo of Jordan Koslowski (Hamilton, Ont.) and Rachel Rivers (Cambridge, Ont.) who contributed 21 kills and 19 kills respectively. Koslowski and Rivers were dominant Saturday afternoon, contributing 40 of their program's 86 total kills.
Knights' 1st year Libero Ainsleigh McInnes-Willimas (Mount Hope, Ont.) had an outstanding defensive performance saturday afternoon, finishing with a match high 20 digs.
Saturday's victory over the Thunder advances Niagara into this year's OCAA Championships hosted by Centennial College. The Knights begin their OCAA Championship journey Thursday, February 22nd when they square off against the OCAA West Division Fanshawe Falcons (14-4, 2nd OCAA West). The championship event will commence from February 22nd to February 24th at the Progress Campus Athletic and Wellness Centre located in Scarborough, Ontario.
