WINDSOR, Ont. – After cleaning up at the OCAA women's volleyball championship banquet the Durham Lords swept their opening match of the day 3-0 over the Fanshawe Falcons.
 
The victory came in the first meeting between the two squads since the Lords lost the 2016 bronze medal game 3-2 to the Falcons. This also marked the third year under head coach Tony Clarke that Durham swept their quarter-final match, as they swept Georgian in 2015 and Cambrian in 2016.
 
"We're happy with the way we opened the weekend, but know it only gets tougher from here," said Clarke, who was named coach of the year at the championship banquet. "We feel we played well overall, but know there are a few things to clean up if we want to earn a victory on Saturday in the semifinal. It's time to refocus because Niagara will be a tough opponent."
 
The east region champions rolled to an easy 25-11 first set win, but the Falcons adjusted and led early in the second. Durham battled back and forced a Fanshawe timeout after regaining the lead and going ahead 14-11.
 
Durham won the set 25-23 as the Falcons hit the ball long and out of bounds for the Lords final point of the second after regaining some momentum late. In the third set it was all Durham as they walked away with a 25-16 victory to advance Saturday's semifinal.
 
OCAA player of the year Allison Marshall (Orillia, Ont.) was named player of the game after finishing with 18 points, which included 15 kills, two blocks and an ace.
 
First-team all-star Shannon Dean (Whitby, Ont.) added eight kills, three blocks and an ace.
 
At the net, second-team all-star Lucia Kalmeyer (Oshawa, Ont.) tied Dean for the team lead in blocks with three.
 
The Lords and Niagara Knights have yet to face each other this year heading into tomorrow's semifinal. Their last meeting was in the 2016 championship semifinal, which Niagara won 3-1 in North Bay. Heading into the weekend the Knights have been red hot as they won five straight matches, including a 3-0 sweep over Seneca in their crossover game to make the championship. They defeated Cambrian Golden Shield 3-1 in their quarter-final on Friday.
 
The first serve between the two teams in Saturday's semifinal is 6 p.m.

QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 25-3
Conference Record: 18-0