WINDSOR, Ont. – The Durham College women's volleyball team are back in the gold medal game for the second time in three seasons, looking to win the programs first championship since 2002.
For the second straight year, the path to the final went through the Niagara Knights and after falling to the Knights in 2016 the Lords got redemption this year as they knocked off Niagara 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21).
Durham will be up against the Humber Hawks, who have won the last nine OCAA titles and haven't lost an OCAA conference or postseason match since 2011. They won their semifinal 3-0 over the host St. Clair Saints.
"This is what you work for everyday – a chance to win an OCAA championship," said Durham College head coach
Tony Clarke. "There's no doubt that the goal at this point is to win on Sunday. We've talked to our team; they've watched Humber over the weekend and they know what we need to do to be successful. It will come down to which team executes best and it will definitely be an exciting match."
Leading the Lords offence on Saturday in the semifinal was first-team all-star
Shannon Dean (Whitby, Ont.) and player of the year
Allison Marshall (Orillia, Ont.). The two combined for 32 of Durham's 47 kills, while adding five aces and two blocks.
For the second straight match
Lucia Kalmeyer (Oshawa, Ont.) led the team in blocks, posting two in the semifinal match alongside her five kills.
Erinn Marshall (Orillia, Ont.) was also key on the right-side as she earned six kills, most of which were setup by setter
Megan Romain (Ajax, Ont.) who finished with 38 assists. Romain also had 14 digs, bested only by libero
Brier Kaake's (Whitby, Ont.) 18 digs.
Niagara had a similar offensive output – two players leading the way – as Jordan Koslowski and Rachel Rivers combined for 28 of the Knights' 47 kills.
Dean was named Durham's player of the game, while Rivers received the honours for Niagara.
Sunday's final isn't scheduled until 5 p.m. If you aren't in Windsor, you can watch the game at
www.we-tv.ca.
QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 26-3
Conference Record: 18-0
Next match: Sunday, Feb. 26 vs. Humber Hawks (OCAA GOLD MEDAL GAME @St. Clair College)
