WINDSOR, Ont. - The Niagara College Knights qualified for the OCAA Men's Volleyball Championship gold medal match after defeating the Fanshawe College Falcons 3-1 Saturday evening at the St. Clair SportsPlex.

Fanshawe drew first blood by winning the first set in extra points 27-25. The next three sets were close but the Falcons fell short as the Knights collected wins of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-23 en route to the match victory.

Niagara and Fanshawe split the two game regular season series with the Falcons winning at home 3-1 on Dec. 4 and the Knights winning on their home court 3-0 on Jan. 22.
 
"We knew we had to play our best volleyball this weekend. We've done that for the first two days and we hope to do it on the third," said Niagara coach Nathan Groenveld. "The mentorship is good and we have a group of third year players that gone through the national semi-finals and that all allowed us to stay composed."

Rookie outside hitter Cole Jordan (London, Ont.) took player of the game honours for Niagara with 16 digs, 10 kills and four stuff blocks. Third-year libero Bailey Cochrane (Barrie, Ont.) added 27 digs and an assist in the Knights victory. Rookie libero David Gundrum (Port Elgin, Ont.) was Fanshawe's player of the game with 19 digs and an assist in the loss.

Fanshawe can still qualify for a bronze medal with a win against Sheridan on Sunday at 9 a.m.

With this win, the Knights have a spot in the CCAA national championship in Charlottetown from March 12-14. Niagara advances to the gold medal final against the winner of the Humber and St. Clair semi-final Sunday at 6 p.m.

Source: St. Clair College