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