November 2, 2025
WELLAND, ONT: The Niagara College men's volleyball team (3-1) returned to the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at the Welland Campus for their season home openers over the weekend. Taking on the Boreal Vipers and the Cambrian Shield, the Knights were able to come out with 2 more wins – tying them for 2nd place in the OCAA West division with Conestoga, Fanshawe and Mohawk colleges. The Knights were able to defeat the Vipers 3-0 Saturday evening (set scores were 25-20, 25-16 and 25-13) and the Cambrian shield 3-1 on Sunday afternoon (set scores were 20-25, 25-21, 25-22 and 25-21).
Trading points to start off the 1st set, the Knights were able to find the gas pedal and take the lead mid-set as they rode their way to a 5-point set win. The next two sets saw the Knights taking control of the game as they weren't allowing Boreal to get anywhere close to taking a lead in either set, winning each set by 9 points and 12 points respectively. Jack Drummond led the way for the Knights as he contributed with 15 points on 13 kills, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 ace. Britton Burrows, otherwise known as "the man, the myth, the legend," commanded the Knights offense by finding multiple players throughout the match on route to his 26 assists, 2 points and 1 ace. Riley Orr was also able to chip in 11 points on 9 kills, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 ace in the victory.
As was the case with the Knight's women's volleyball team, the men's squad was ready for a tougher competitor in the Cambrian Shield Sunday afternoon. The Shield, coming into this match as the only undefeated team left in the OCAA West, showed why they were on top, taking the 1st set with a 5-point win. Collecting themselves and coming into the 2nd set with a renewed energy, the Knights showed that this game was going to be a dogfight the rest of the way. With both teams making plays on both sides of the ball, it was the Knights who ultimately came out with 2nd set win, tying up the match at 1-game apiece. The 3rd set was no different than the 2nd, as neither team wanted to give an inch and go down 2 games to 1. Highlight reel play after highlight reel play, the crowd was on the edge of their seats as they witnessed incredible volleyball from both teams. The Knights were eventually able to ride away with the 4-point set victory as they made a late run, taking a commanding 2-1 game lead. The 4th set did not disappoint anyone watching as both teams continued to fight point after point, providing colossal attacks and massive blocks. The Knights were able to come away with the final 3 points of the set and take the 3-1 victory on a Jack Drummond service ace. Taiten Stifter took the helm for the Knights, finding himself with 36 assists, 2 points, 4 digs and 2 blocks. Sam Pynn led the Knights with 18 points on 18 kills and 5 digs. The Knights also had 3 other players contribute double-digit points in this match – RJ Martin with 16, Jack Drummond with 15 and Cam Moss with 13.
"The boys' compete level, mixed with their composure and energy, is phenomenal right now," said Steve Stone, head coach of the Niagara Knights. Stone continued to say that "the team is really starting to gel together, and we plan to carry this momentum into next weekend."
The Knights head back on the road for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the St. Clair Saints (1-3) on November 8th with the game beginning at 5pm. If you can't get to Windsor to watch the Knights live, be sure to tune into OCAA Live so you don't miss a thing.
For more information on the Knights' team, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.
