March 7, 2022 - The Niagara Knights men's volleyball team played to a thrilling 2-3 loss to the nationally ranked (8th) Redeemer Royals who were 7-1 coming in to Saturday's match.
The Knights and Royals kept things close through the first set, but it was the home team drawing first blood with a 25-22 win to go up 1-0 on the Royals.
Not happy dropping set one to the Knights, the Royals stormed back in a lopsided set two win, 17-25 to tie things up at 1-1.
Backed by the home team crowd and another high tempo set with the Royals, the Knights took set two 26-24 to go ahead at 2-1.
Set four saw both teams trade back and forth for the lead, but it was the Royals getting the final word of set four to win 22-25 and force a fifth and deciding set.
Unfortunately for the Knights, the Royals took down the blue and white in set five, 11-15 and secure their eighth win of the season to finish second behind Humber (9-0).
Colin Prelaz finished the match with 14 points (12 kills, 8 digs) while Dallas Melnick finished with 11 points (10 kills, four digs).
The Knights 3-6 record dropped them to seventh place in the OCAA West, which means the Knights will turn around and face Redeemer again Thursday night in Ancaster. The winner of Thursday's qualifier will play Saturday March 12th in the OCAA quarterfinal.
For full stats and standings, please visit ocaa.com
2022 OCAA Playoff Format Below:
QUALIFYING GAMES - March 10
Game A: East #8 @ East #1
Game B: West #5 @ West #4
Game C: West #7 @ West #2
Game D: East #6 @ East #3
Game E: West #8 @ West # 1
Game F: East #5 @ East #4
Game G: East #7 @ East #2
Game H: West #6 @ West #3
QUARTER FINALS - March 12 (High Seed Host)
Game 1: Winner Game A vs. Winner Game B
Game 2: Winner Game C vs. Winner Game D
Game 3: Winner Game E vs. Winner Game F
Game 4: Winner Game G vs. Winner Game H
FINAL FOUR @ top seed - March 16-17
Day 1 - March 16
6:00pm - Semi-Final #1: Winner of Quarter-Final #1 vs. Winner of Quarter-Final #2
8:00pm - Semi-Final #2: Winner of Quarter-Final #3 vs. Winner of Quarter-Final #4
Day 2 - March 17
5:00pm - BRONZE MEDAL GAME: Loser Semi-Final #1 vs. Loser Semi-Final #2
7:30pm - GOLD MEDAL GAME: Winner Semi-Final #1 vs. Winner Semi-Final #2
