NIAGARA KNIGHTS PLAYOFF BOUND IN WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the Knights women's volleyball team as they closed out the 2010-2011 season. They finished the year two games under .500, with a mediocre record of 10 wins and 12 losses, which subsequently eliminated their hope of advancing to the OCAA playoffs. In addition, only two players planned on returning for the 2011-2012 season.

Ava Sarkis and Marieka Ouimette were the only two veterans coming back. As well, a new coach had been hired in Joey Martins, to hopefully direct the Knights back into playoff contention. Martins came into a very difficult situation where lack of recruiting had crippled the once powerful women's volleyball program.

He began his efforts by targeting students who had inquired about the program and had shown interest in trying out. He also had the opportunity to identify and recruit athletes in his own facility when Niagara College co-hosted the OFSAA "AAA" girls volleyball championships.  There he identified and recruited outside hitter/middle/setter, Nicole Schoonderwoerd, of Stratford's St. Michael Catholic School.

The Knights foundation improved significantly with the addition of libero Dayna Kozub (West Park High School, St. Catharines) and outside hitter Lindsay Murray of Welland, a graduate of Brock University. These players formed the core on which Martins had to build.

The season began with tryouts, and it was evident that these players had significant playing experience individually. However, they needed a lot of work to learn how to play together effectively as a team in order to qualify for the OCAA playoffs.

Sarkis has six years of setting experience with the Niagara Rapids Volleyball Club and one year of post-secondary play at Niagara. Her former teammate throughout her time with the Rapids was libero Dayna Kozub, and both she and Kozub were recipients of numerous OVA awards and provincial and national titles.

Ouimette has three years of post-secondary experience dominating the net as a middle blocker and attacker for Niagara. Schoonderwoerd has six years of club experience as a middle and outside hitter for both the Stratford Stingers Volleyball Club and the Kitchener/Waterloo Predators Volleyball Club. Murray stepped in to quickly establish herself as a strong outside hitter with four years of club (Welland Splash) and one year of court experience with Brock.

The Knights also have outside hitter Jenna Bray, a transfer from Fanshawe College, waiting in the wings to begin play after the Christmas break. Bray had a successful seven-year stint on the OVA circuit with the Burlington Blaze. In addition, the Knights have walk-ons Heather Vandermeer and Shawna McDonald, both outside hitters, and Anne Taylor and Krista Douwes (middles) who were athletes in their own right, but did not have the playing experience necessary to compete at the post-secondary level.

This did not deter Martins from setting high goals for the team. The Knights began the season with the goal of returning to the OCAA championships. This week they assured themselves of that opportunity when they secured fourth position in the OCAA West region and a first round playoff match at home on Sunday, February 19 at 1 p.m. Niagara has a record of 10 wins and 7 losses with one league match remaining, which could place them four games over .500. Three more victories were within reach when they lost the third and deciding set in matches where they led two sets to none, and two sets to one.

Their last home game of the season before playoffs gets under way Wednesday February 15 at 6 p.m. with the men's match to follow.

Source: Niagara College