The Niagara College women's volleyball program continued their outstanding offseason this week with the announcement of the addition of towering middle blocker Tamara Edwards. The Vineland native joins the Knights via the powerhouse Eden Flyers high school program and Hamilton Smash club system.
Edwards stands at an impressive six-foot-two and has an accomplished volleyball resume that includes serving as Eden's team captain during the 2016 OFSAA Bronze medal winning season for the Flyers.
"With Tamara's volleyball IQ, power, and size, she has all the tools necessary to help us win immediately" said Niagara College women's volleyball head coach Nathan Janzen. "There is little doubt in my mind that Tamara will be a fantastic OCAA middle blocker."
The 18 year old Vineland native will enroll in Niagara College's sport management program at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus beginning in September of 2017.
"Niagara is a great fit for me" said Edwards during a meet and greet event at the Welland Campus athletic centre. "I love the area and being from around here means it's close to my family. Niagara offers such a competitive and strong volleyball program, I knew the team was a great fit."
The Knights have captured three consecutive OCAA medals, including a bronze medal finish in 2016-17. The team has enjoyed a fantastic recruiting off-season, earning commitments from a trio of Mountain Volleyball standouts in Natasha Desjardins (Welland), Melissa McFadden (Hamilton), Tyler Garrick (Milton), and Hamilton city all-star Kelsey Soules (Hamilton).
"Tamara's OFSAA Championship experience will help us in big games, and the great coaching she has received both at Eden High School and through club volleyball will add tremendously to our depth in the middle" continued Janzen.
When asked about goals during her intercollegiate career Edwards said "I want to become stronger in all aspects of my game, while also striving academically. On the court I'm looking to be a big presence I the front row in terms of both hitting and blocking."
The outstanding incoming 2017 recruiting class with join a returning core that includes 2016-17 All-Canadian Jordan Koslowski, and 2015-16 OCAA First Team All-Star Rachel Rivers. The Knights will return to the court when training camp opens on September 12th.
