The Niagara Knights men's volleyball program (2-4, 7th OCAA West) were unable to overcome a strong Humber Hawks (5-0, 3rd OCAA West) team on Wednesday night in Welland. The Knights fell 3-1 (17-25, 25-27, 25-23, 22-25) to the undefeated Hawks.
Throughout the match Niagara was unable to contain the outside hitters from Humber, particularly Clayton Blanchette who recorded 24 kills. "I thought Humber played well tonight," said Knights head coach Nathan Groenveld. "Their outside hitters stayed patient and scored when the opportunities were there."
Marcus Francis (Pickering) was the offensive leader for the Knights on the evening. He recorded a career high 17 kills along with a block for a team high 18 points. Jeff Scott (Georgetown) recorded 10 kills, a service ace, and a block. Treavon Miller-Herrera (Scarborough), who took over setting duties late in the first set, had 20 assists.
With his 10 kills, Scott moves himself atop another Niagara Knights career record. Entering the match with 649 career kills to his credit Scott now holds the Knights career kills record, currently sitting at 659. He surpasses previous record of 655 set by Knights Hall of Fame member Graeme Gaunt, who played with the Knights from 1999-2003.
The Knights have three games remaining in the first semester. They will hit the road to take on the Sheridan Bruins (3-3, 6th OCAA West) on November 26th. Niagara will return to the Welland Campus Athletic Centre on December 3rd and 4th for a weekend doubleheader against the visiting Boreal Viperes (0-7, 10th OCAA West) and Cambrian Golden Shield (1-6, 9th OCAA West), respectively.
