Men’s Athlete of the Week – Steve Stone, Men’s Volleyball
Steve Stone of the Niagara College men’s volleyball program has been named this week’s male athlete of the week. Stone was the catalyst for the Knights during the team’s OCAA gold medal victory at the provincial championship in Windsor from February 27-March 1.
Stone is a six-foot-two setter from St. Catharines, Ontario who is a graduate of Eden High School and its powerhouse Flyers volleyball program. He is in his fourth year of eligibility and is currently enrolled in the Niagara College recreation and leisure services program.
“Steve was phenomenal all weekend” said Niagara College head coach Nathan Groenveld. “In addition to quarterbacking our offense, his defense and serving were major factors in our gold medal victory. His maturity and composure have been instrumental for our program this season.”
Stone was named the 2015 OCAA men’s volleyball championship MVP. During the event the Knights defeated the #1 ranked Mohawk Mountaineers, the Fanshawe Falcons, and in the gold medal match, the host St. Clair Saints.
Stone led the OCAA regular season in assists and assist-per-set, and was named a 24-15 OCAA second team all-star.
Stone and the rest of the Niagara College men’s volleyball program will now head to Charlottetown, PEI from March 12-15 to compete in the 2015 CCAA National Championship being hosted by Holland College.
Female Athlete of the Week – Lucy McLay, Women’s Volleyball
Lucy McLay of the Niagara College women’s volleyball program has been named this week’s female athlete of the week. McLay was the Knights best player during the team’s bronze medal performance at the 2015 OCAA women’s volleyball championship this past weekend.
From the outside hitter position, the five-foot-eleven native of Stratford finished her five year playing career in style, earning a provincial bronze medal and being named to the 2015 OCAA Championship all-star team.
After playing four years with the Brock Badgers, McLay enrolled in the Niagara College public relations graduate certificate program in September of 2014. She finished the OCAA Championship with 53 points in just four matches, an average of 4.1 points-per-set.
“Lucy was our offensive leader all weekend” said Niagara College women’s volleyball head coach Joey Martins. “She plays at a very high level, and her skill and experience were big factors in helping our program win its first OCAA medal since 2003.”
The OCAA Championship sees McLay and the rest of the Niagara College women’s volleyball program wrap up their 2014-15 season with an overall OCAA record of 19-4.
