OSHAWA, Ont. – In the final 2017-18 home game for the Durham College men's volleyball team, a 3-1 loss to the Fleming Knights, Erik Janssen (Hampton, Ont.) became the team's all-time points leader.
 
Needing only two points heading into the night to pass David McMann's 773 points, Janssen finished with 22 points – achieving the feat in the first set. He now has 794 in his OCAA career.
 
His 19 kills were a match-high, as well as his two service aces.
 
Unfortunately for the Lords, who celebrated seven graduating seniors on the night, they lost 3-1 to the Knights who have had a hot second half of their OCAA season as they improved to 6-2.
 
It wasn't an uneven match though, as Durham narrowly lost the first set 25-23 and then bounced back with a convincing 25-17 second set.
 
The third was close again, but with both teams tied 20-20, Fleming pulled ahead to win 25-22. From there they steamrolled the Lords in the fourth 25-14 to take the match.
 
Fleming's offence was split between Erich Perau and Edward Running-Adams who finished with 12 and 10 kills respectively. At the net Joel Howes finished with a match-high four blocks.
 
For Durham, Lucas Pichl (Cobourg, Ont.) had a great night with 11 kills and two blocks. Kyler Woodburne (Bowmanville, Ont.) also looked good defensively, posting three blocks.
 
Recognized after the match as graduating seniors were Janssen, setter Rory Langley (Uxbridge, Ont.), Tayler Michaelson (Ajax, Ont.), Wesley Armstrong (Port Perry, Ont.), Evan McMillan (Greenbank, Ont.), libero Luke Fafard (Dauphin, Man.) and Tyler Krabi (Stouffville, Ont.).
 
The loss puts Durham in a tough position with two conference games remaining before the playoffs. They currently sit fifth in the OCAA east region, but can drop as low as ninth and out of the playoffs pending results in matches this weekend.
 
Their next match is Saturday in Belleville against the last-place Loyalist Lancers before travelling to North York on Wednesday to battle the Seneca Sting.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 8-16
Conference Record: 7-9
 
Next game: Saturday, February 10 @ Loyalist Lancers (3 PM – Belleville, Ont.)