November 2, 2025
WELLAND, ONT: The Niagara College women's volleyball team (5-0) finally returned to Welland for their 2025-2026 season home opening weekend, taking on the Boreal Vipers (0-4) and Cambrian Shield (2-2). Saturday evening, fans were able to see the Knights win their first game on home court, defeating the Vipers 3-1 (set scores were 25-16, 22-25, 25-9 and 25-15). Sunday afternoon had the Knights continuing with their winning ways as they beat the Shield 3-1 as well (set scores were 27-29, 25-20, 25-18 and 25-20).
After 3 road games to begin the 2025-2026 campaign, the Knights were able to return home to an energetic crowd as they got set to battle the Boreal Vipers and Cambrian Shield in a home-and-home weekend for the Knights.
Starting off the weekend, Niagara began set 1 by taking the first 2 points and didn't look back as they rolled their way to a 9-point set win. The 2nd set looked as if it was going to be a carbon copy of the 1st set as the Knights took the first 5 points in this one. However, the Vipers buckled down and fought back to take a mid-set lead – which they would not give up as they went on to tie the game up at 1 set apiece. Heading into the 3rd and 4th sets, the Knights came out with a renewed energy and put the game on cruise control, winning by 16 points and 10 points respectively. Leading the game in points, Tess Kelly posted 16 points on 9 kills, 4 blocks and 3 aces. Kyleigh Baxter followed close behind with 13 points on 10 kills and 3 aces of her own. Knights setters, Tia Kelly and Lily Ireland, combined for 28 assists, 5 points, 3 aces and 2 blocks in this contest.
The Knights came into Sunday set to take on a tougher opponent in the Cambrian Shield and the Shield did not disappoint. A hard-fought back-and-forth battle in the 1st set saw the Shield go on a late run to take the 29-27 set win. Coming into the 2nd set, the Knights took a collective breath and acquired an early 2-0 lead. Slowly increasing their lead as the set went on, the Knights ended up with a 5-point set victory, bringing the match to 1-1. As was the story on Saturday evening, the Knights were able to kick it into another gear and build off early set leads as they proceeded to a 3-1 match win. Leading the Knights in scoring again, Tess Kelly posted an incredible 23 points on 12 kills, 7 blocks, 4 aces and 2 digs on route to a Knights double-victory over the weekend. Tia Kelly controlled the offense, distributing 31 assists and tossing in 5 points of her own with 4 aces. Abbey Gooder, Charlize Trudell, Laryssa Schipper and Sam Cormier all scored in double-digit points in this match as well.
"We're pleased with the results from this weekend," Steve Stone, head coach of the Knights began to say. "We're taking care of the small details and playing together with purpose."
The Knights head back on the road for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the St. Clair Saints (2-1) on November 8th with the game beginning at 3pm. 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' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.
