Winning start to ’18
Niagara College varsity teams combine to start final half of season 5-1
Niagara College’s so-called “big four” nearly swept their way into the final half of the 2017-18 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) schedule.
Knights teams grounded the University of Toronto-Mississauga Eagles in men’s and women’s basketball, and Niagara did likewise in men’s volleyball versus the Conestoga Condors before defeating the Sheridan Bruins.
Only the women’s volleyball team at the region’s community college failed to stay out of the losing column to start the new year.
But they came oh so close. Niagara swept Conestoga and went up 2-0 versus Sheridan before losing a marathon match in five sets.
“After winning the first two sets, we weren’t able to sustain our defensive or offensive pressure, and Sheridan’s game definitely improved as the match went on,” head coach Nathan Janzen said after the Knights snapped a three-game winning streak to fall to 7-3.
Janzen is happy with the team’s play despite the loss.
“I’m pleased with both our passing
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
A volleyball player in his rookie season and a basketball players in her final year are Niagara College’s first athletes of the week for 2018. Robert Zalewski came up with 36 digs from the libero position in four-set victories over Conestoga and Sheridan in men’s volleyball. “Robbie has been a crucial part of our success so far this season,” head coach Nathan Groenveld. “To step into our starting rotation as a rookie, and play the way he does, proves how impressive this kid really is.”
Zalewski has been the backbone of the Knights defence leading all players with 79 digs.
Courtney Kilyk is the college’s top female athlete for the week ending Sunday after leading the Knights
and serving as we worked very hard on both elements throughout the break,” he said. “As a team we will trust the process and continue to get better every day in practice.”
Standouts for the Knights were Rachel Rivers, 19 kills, 55 assists; Jordan Koslowski, eight kills, 43 assists, 22 digs; Natasha Desjardins, three kills, 26 assists; and Ansleigh McInnes-Williams, who also came up with 22 digs.
Set scores were 25-21, 25-21, 1825, 15-25, 15-17.
The Bruins avenged a 3-1 loss in in points, with
12, and assists, eight, in an 84-57 road victory over University of Mississauga-Toronto.
“Courtney has been a major part of the success we’ve had this season,” women’s basketball head coach Mike Beccaria said praising the play of the Fonthill native and Notre Dame graduate.
“She is a skilled veteran who will be relied on heavily down the stretch.”
the opening game of the home-andhome series Nov. 25 in Welland to improve their record to 6-5.
Koslowski, 15 kills, 31 assists; Rivers, seven kills, 23 assists; and Ainsleigh McInnes-Williams, 17 digs, were key contributors in a 3-0 victory over Conestoga — 25-20, 25-19, 25-23.
Niagara hosts the Humber Hawks, 10-0, at the Athletic Centre in Welland beginning at 6 p.m.
Back on winning track
Mitch Sawatsky had nine kills, Jaydon Milne, Tristan Swinden and Jacob Williamson eight each to help visiting Niagara defeat Sheridan 3-1 in men’s college volleyball.
Knights libero Robert Zalewski led all players with 18 digs, and Milne had a game-high 36 assists.
Niagara’s second win in as many days improved the team’s record to 6-4.
Head coach Nathan Groenveld was pleased with how the team battled and “just stuck to our process” Sunday afternoon in Oakville.
“We didn’t let errors or anything Sheridan did phase us, we just kept coming back,” he said. “I thought we did as good job serving today and that allowed us to use our block/defence to score a lot of points.”
Niagara ended a three-game losing slide at home the night before in a 3-1 victory — 26-19. 24-26, 3028, 25-10 — over Conestoga.
Sawatsky topped the Knights with 20 kills, Milne collected 38 assists and Zalewski had 18 digs.
Next up for Niagara is an 8 p.m. match Thursday at home against Humber, 8-2.
Third win in a row
Four Niagara players scored in double digits as the Knights defeated the University of MississaugaToronto Eagles 81-69 in men’s college basketball.
See
With their third win in a row, Niagara improved to 8-3 and completed a sweep of U of T-Mississauga in league play.
In their first game in a month the Knights trailed the Eagles by one point after three quarters before outscoring their hosts 33-20 over the final 10 minutes.
“We looked rusty tonight after our long layoff,” head coach Mike Hurley said. “Each quarter was close until the fourth, when we were finally able to pull away with some good defensive pressure that led to some exciting athletic plays.”
Van Hutchinson Jr., Levi Mukuna, with 16 points apiece; Jordon McDonald, 15 points; and Kevin Cooper, 12; topped Niagara in scoring.
McDonald and Thompson came down with 18 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
The Knights are Hamilton Thursday taking on the 7-6 Mohawk Mountaineers beginning at 8 p.m.
Niagara opened the season at home with a 70-60 victory over Mohawk.
Knights sweep Eagles
Visiting Niagara defeated the University of Toronto-Mississauga to start 2018 on a winning note in women’s college basketball.
“Tonight was a professional win against a good young team,” said head coach Mike Beccaria, whose Knights improved to 7-4 snapping a two-game losing streak.
Niagara, which opened the season series against the Eagles with a 77-57 victory Oct. 25 in Welland, was able to play everyone in the lineup.
“Good performances were turned in by all,” Beccaria said. “I particularly liked the 23 assists spread throughout the team.
“As expected after a layoff we didn’t really shoot the ball well, but we were solid defensively and rebounding-wise.”
Reaching double digits in scoring for the Knights were Courtney Kilyk, 12 points, Mary Ingribelli, 11, and Tianna Stys, 10.
Niagara visits Mohawk, 121, Thursday at 6 p.m. hoping to avenge a 70-65 loss to the Mountaineers in the season opener Oct. 20 in Welland.