BARRIE, Ont. - The Nipissing Lady Lakers captured a bronze medal
at the 2012 OCAA women's volleyball provincial championship with a
3-1 (25-19,27-29, 25-22, 25-23) victory over the Fanshawe
Falcons.
OCAA rookie of the year Brittany Ardron led the
Lakers with a 19-point effort on 13 kills, three stuff blocks and
three service aces. Ardron was also named a championship
All-Star.
Nipissing has won an OCAA medal in each of the last seven years.
During that span, the Lakers have won one championship (2007), five
silvers along with one bronze.
"It certainly nice to end the tournament with a win." said head
coach Marc LaRochelle. "The girls responded well
today after a very frustrating way to finish against Humber."
The Lady Lakers opened the tournament with a sweep of Algonquin
College 3-0 and faced their arch rivals the Humber Hawks in the
semi-finals.
The Hawks and Lakers have met in the provincial finals the last 6
years however some inconsistent play down the stretch by the Lady
Lakers set up the early match-up as the Lakers finished 3rd in the
West division.
Humber won the match 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21) but not
without controversy. "I think everyone in that gym would agree that
we got a raw deal at the end of that fourth set. It's a tough way
to lose no doubt about it." added LaRochelle.
The Lady Lakers finished the regular season with a 12-4 regular
season record and advanced to the OCAA Championship with a
cross-over victory over the Loyalist Lancers 3-0.
Source: Nipissing University
Photo Credit: Ron Howden