Athlete of the Week
Male- Mitch Sawatsky
Mitch Sawatsky of the Niagara Knights men’s volleyball program has been named this week’s male athlete of the week.
The 6’3 outside hitter from St. Catharines, Ontario earned athlete of the week honours after his impressive 16 point performance in the Knights' 3-0 crossover victory over the Durham Lords. The Eden High School graduate finished Sunday afternoon with 13 kills, two service aces and one block.
In his second year with the Knights, Sawatsky has been a solid contributor in Niagara’s starting rotation averaging 2.7 points per set. Niagara hopes that Sawatsky’s impressive play against Durham will continue heading into the OCAA Championships this weekend in Barrie, Ontario.
Sawatsky and the rest of the Knights’ program are back in action Thursday, February 22nd when they compete against the hosting Georgian Grizzlies in the first round of this year’s OCAA Championships. The event will commence from February 22nd to February 24th at the Georgian College Athletic and Fitness Centre located in Barrie, Ontario.
Female- Mary Ingribelli
Mary Ingribelli of the Niagara College women’s basketball program has been named this week’s female athlete of the week.
The Knights’ 4th year guard from St. Catharines, Ontario earns the award after posting 25 and 22 point performances in each of her program’s weekend victories over the Sault Cougars (0-20, 11th OCAA West).
The Governor Simcoe standout has had an incredible 4th season with the Knights, setting Niagara College's women's basketball program's single season scoring record with a whopping 382 points. Ingribelli broke the previous record of 301 points set nearly 30 years ago during the 1980-81 season by Knights' hall of fame member Carol St. Angelo. She is also the program's all time leader in 3 point shots made.
With Ingribelli’s offensive performances this weekend, Ingribelli sits at second in the OCAA West Division averaging 19.1 points per game. The Knights’ 4th year guard only sits behind Redeemer’s star forward Jessica Bosma by 0.3 points (19.4). The Royals end their regular season this week against the Humber Hawks (19-0, 1st OCAA West), and a poor showing from Bosma could skyrocket Ingribelli to the West Division scoring title.
The Knights have an entire week off before hosting the OCAA crossover game Sunday, February 25th at Welland Campus Athletic Centre. The OCAA East Division opponent will be determined once the regular season standings have been confirmed. The victor of Sunday afternoon's matchup clinches a birth into this year's OCAA Championships hosted by Humber College. Tip off is scheduled for 2pm.