NORTH BAY, Ont. – The Canadore men's volleyball team started their 2016-17 OCAA campaign off with a win over the Fleming Knights (Peterborough, Ont.).

The Panthers won the opening set 25-21; before losing the 25-18 in the second.

In the third, Canadore rallied from behind with some strong serving to take the set 25-21. The Panthers finished off the Knights 27-25 in the fourth set.

James Heslinga (Orangeville, Ont.) led the Panthers with 12 kills and five digs while first-year player Braiden Coughlin (North Bay, Ont.) added 11 kills and 12 digs.

On Sunday, the Panthers ran up against the Durham Lords.

Canadore opened with a first-set win over the Lords 25-18. Durham responded by taking the next two sets 25-11, 25-19.

In the fourth set, the Panthers opened up a sizable lead and held on to win 25-19; sending the match to a fifth and deciding set.

The Panthers went up early in the fifth but were unable to hold off the Lords and lost 15-13.

Eric Bowman (North Bay, Ont.) led the Panthers with 11 kills and two stuff blocks.

Canadore head coach Mark Hopper was optimistically positive following the weekend matches.

"An unsatisfying loss on Sunday by losing in the fifth set after having the lead supplants the positive victory that occurred on Saturday," said Hopper. "Moving forward, team defence and pinpoint execution needs to be rallied this week for facing a good opponent in the Georgian Grizzlies."

"The team will bounce back but needs to work hard in these areas and make the fine adjustments."

The Panthers are in action next Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. against Georgian College at the Education Centre Gymnasium.

Source: Canadore College