NIAGARA 3, ALGONQUIN 2

OAKVILLE, Ont. - It was probably the match-up both would have wanted at some point - albeit not exactly when they wanted it - as the Niagara Knights defeated the Algonquin Thunder 3-2 (29-27, 25-17, 21-25, 22-25, 15-11) in a match-up of regular season champions and seeing the Knights through to the bronze medal game.

With the exception of blocks - where Algonquin held a 10-7 advantage - and aces - where each side had four - Niagara held the statistical edge in all categories, winning the battle for kills (67-52), total offence (78-66) and digs (51-46).

Sam Youlton scored 24 points (20 kills, two aces, two blocks) while Jeff Scott (19 kills, one ace) and Shayne Petrusma (15 kills, three blocks) added 20 and 18 point efforts respectively.

For Algonquin, Philippe Yeldon (17 kills, one ace, two blocks) led the way with 20 points, followed by Alex Oneid (17 kills, one ace) with 18 points and Ian McAlipine (six kills, five blocks) with 11 points.

Three players were in double figures for digs, with Niagara boasting two - Bret Polfuss with 17 and Jeff Scott with 11 - while Algonquin's Mozafar Abdoli had 10.

Niagara will now square off against OCAA West Division foe Redeemer in the bronze medal game.

The two sat atop the division standings with 14-4 records and split their two head-to-head match-ups - each emerging with a 3-2 win - with Niagara winning the regular season title based on set win-loss ratio.

Source: Sheridan I.T.