February 22, 2025
ETOBICOKE, ON: The Niagara Knights women's volleyball team travelled to the 2024-
2025 OCAA Women's Volleyball Championships over the weekend, hosted by Humber
College – their first appearance in a Championship weekend since the 2018-2019
season where they captured silver. In a tough semi-final matchup on Friday evening,
the Knights took on the Humber Hawks and unfortunately suffered a 3-1 loss (set
scores were 17-25, 25-23, 21-25 and 18-25). The very next day, the Knights faced off
against the Fanshawe Falcons in the bronze medal match. The Knights were able to
come out victorious in this game, sweeping the Falcons and coming home with a bronze
medal (set scores were 25-20, 25-22 and 25-23).
The Knights entered the semi-final game against the #1 seeded Humber Hawks, having
lost both of their matchups during the regular season. Hoping to turn the tables in the
semi-finals and find a win against the Hawks, Steve Stone, head coach of the Knights,
decided to start the match off with some head games – choosing sides during the
captain's coin toss and forcing the Hawks off their usual "home bench." After a slow
start and going down 3-0 early, the Knights started to fight back in the first set, tying the
match up at 5-5. A back-and-forth set eventually saw the Hawks take a small lead that
they wouldn't give up, as they won the first set. The 2 nd set saw a much more
determined Knights squad who were being aggressive and taking it to the Hawks. After
going up early in the set, the Knights did not give up the lead until late in the set – a lead
that they would recapture and subsequently take the 2 nd set, tying up the match 1-1.
The 3 rd and 4 th sets saw big battles on both sides of the tape as both teams were laying
it all out on the court and making spectacular plays to keep rallies alive. Ultimately, in
two closely contested games, the Hawks were able to pull off the 3-1 victory and send
the Knights to the bronze medal game. Sam Cormier led the Knights in points with 12
on 5 kills, while also providing 7 blocks and 4 digs. Montanna Taylor, the 5 th year
veteran who was named the semi-finals' player of the game for the Knights, was a
stable presence for the Knights all match, providing 20 assists, 12 digs, and 6 points on
6 kills. Outside hitters, Abbey Gooder and Natalie Little, combined for 15 points on 13
kills, 21 digs, 1 service ace and 1 block.
Saturday afternoon, the Knights came into the match against the Fanshawe Falcons
determined to make a statement and capture the 2024-2025 OCAA women's volleyball
bronze medal. From the get-go, it was apparent that this would be a tough battle for the
Knights as neither team was able to get a comfortable lead throughout the 1 st set before
the Knights ultimately took the 5-point set win. The 2 nd set was very similar to the 1 st ,
having both teams fight hard for every point. The Knights were able to find themselves

with a 5-point lead in the middle of the set and despite a late surge from the Falcons,
the Knights were able to fend them off and take the 2 nd set victory. In typical fashion for
this game, the 3 rd set was a see-saw affair that had both teams having to earn each
point they received. With the Knights up 24-23 in the 3 rd set, and on match point,
Fanshawe served the ball and a slight overpass by Little was quickly rectified as Taylor
slammed the ball down for the win, giving the Knights the sweep and the bronze medal.
Emilie Dlouhy, the first-year libero for the Knights who was named to the OCAA West
Division All-Rookie team, kept the Knights in numerous rallies with some phenomenal
plays, contributing 14 digs and 1 assist during this match. Cormier once again led the
Knights with 11 points on 9 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs and 1 assist. Aja Zambiasi and Tess
Kelly helped propel the Knights to victory with a combined 14 points on 7 kills, 10 digs, 5
blocks and 2 service aces. Little was also named the bronze medals player of the game
for the Knights, while Taylor was named to the championship all-star team.
Head coach of the Knights, Steve Stone, can be seen giving one of the biggest cheers
as he watched Taylor earn the final point for the Knights. "The ladies saved their best
ball for this weekend and showcased their abilities as a team. Taking it to Humber and
competing with the top program in the province is really a good place to be. Coming out
against Fanshawe, we were confident that we could execute as long as we stayed
steady and didn't try anything more or anything less." Stone commented about the
weekend. Stone continued to mention that he "couldn't be prouder of this group of
ladies – they've worked their tails off all season long, making sacrifices, with the goal of
contending for a medal in mind. We knew this group would be special from day one
and we didn't waiver – we played together and for each other, relentless in the pursuit of
our goals and to be able to see them come to fruition is something special." Stone
could not walk away without giving a few special shoutouts. "Big shout out to all the
girls, from rookies to vets, they made this year a memorable one and I'm grateful for
their commitment and efforts. Thank you to my coaching staff as well, I can't do my job
without them and this program isn't successful without their sacrifices."
After winning the bronze medal, it ends the season for the Knights on a positive note
and provides them with something great to build off for next season. After resting up for
a while and enjoying their victory, the Knights will head back to the court to work on their
game in preparation for next season. We hope to see all you Knights fans out here
cheering the team on next season.
For more information on the Knights' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.