February 7, 2020 … WELLAND – After dropping their last two matches to Fanshawe and Humber, the Niagara College women's volleyball team used home court advantage to storm back into the win column in last night's 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-21) sweep of the Redeemer Royals.
The win currently puts Niagara at 9-6 and fourth in the OCAA West division, while Redeemer remains one spot behind the Knights in 5th place with a 7-9 record.
The Knights had big games from several players, including a solid performance from first- year setter, Marissa Steele, who stepped in midway through the first set for starting setter Montanna Taylor. Head coach Steve Dow was pleased with Steele's ability to step in and adapt quickly.
"I was very impressed with first year setter Marissa Steele, who stepped in for the starter after she tweaked something part way through the first set. Marissa has shown a ton of growth this year and showed that she isn't scared to be out there in a big game."
Wainfleet native Kristen Oudman led the Knights with 10 points ( 9 K, 1 SA) while former University of Guelph Gryphon Victoria Golebiowski also finished with 10 points (with 8K, 1SA and 2BS)
"Tonight was one of our more balanced offensive games," said Dow.
"We got double digit performances from three players and I was very happy with how our girls stuck to the game plan and played to our strengths."
With just three regular season games remaining, Dow knows there is still some fine-tuning to do.
"I will say that we need to do a better job on the service line. We need to keep teams off balance and force them into the teeth of our block defence and we cannot do that when we are missing serves into the net. We have another big test against a good Sheridan team on Sunday. We need to continue to build and grow as a team as we get closer and closer to playoffs."
The Knights will hit the road for their final road game of the season against the Sheridan Bruins (7-9) before closing out their season at home next weekend when Boreal College (0-14) and Cambrian College (2-13) head down for a double header.
