January 16, 2023...WELLAND - After an ugly start to the second half of the season on Thursday night in a 1-3 loss to Conestoga, the Knights men's volleyball team rebounded in a tight match against Redeemer Saturday afternoon. Niagara downed the Royals 3-1 infront of a packed house.

In what should have been an easy home game on Thursday night against the 1-8 Conestoga Condors, the Knights struggled to have an answer for the feisty Condors who won the first two sets (18-25,26-28,) to go up 2-0 before Niagara won set three 25-22 to try and stage a comeback and force a fourth set. Conestoga went on to take set three 20-25 to secure the 1-3 win.

An obvious disappointed head coach Steve Stone simply said his team was just outmatched. "I simply think we never could match Conestoga's energy and fight. They dug everything and made it very difficult to put a ball away."

The blue and white regrouped Saturday at home in a tight match with the Redeemer Royals. Niagara won game one by the score of 25-23. In game two, Redeemer rallied from six points down to win 27-25. The Knights took games three and four 25-19 and 25-20, to sweep the season series 2-0.

"That was a great response from the boys.," said a happier Stone. "We tightened up in every aspect of the game. We passed much better, defended at a high level and our focus and detail was brilliant."

Colin Prelaz led the Knights with 16 points (12 kills, 4 service aces and 10 digs) followed by middle Ashton Nieuwets with 14 points (9 kills, 3 service aces and 8 digs.) Nieuwets also had a strong showing against Conestoga with 10 points.

Next up for the Knights, now 7-4, will be a road game against Sheridan (4-7) on Thursday at 8:00pm.