November 6, 2024
OAKVILLE, ON: The Niagara Knights (3-2) took a trip up the QEW to face off against the Sheridan Bruins (3-3). The trip was quick and successful as the Knights swept the Bruins 3-0 (set scores were 25-20, 25-10, 25-23).
In a match that started off back-and-forth, with the Bruins and Knights both battling hard, it was the Knights who took the first giant leap forward – winning the first set 25-20. The 2nd set seemed to have the Knights on cruise control as nothing could go wrong for them, winning the set decisively by 15 points. Just as fans were getting ready to pack it up and go home, the Bruins made it interesting as they tried to claw back into the match – ultimately seeing the Knights win the 3rd set in a closely contested game full of heart and determination. Ashton Nieuwets, the 4th-year outside hitter, led the Knights with 17 points, 12 kills, 4 service aces, 6 digs and 1 block. 1st-year middle, Rowan Redekop, completely dominated the middle of the net contributing 11 points, 9 kills, 1 dig, 1 service ace and 1 block as he was a force to be reckoned with on this night.
"The guys came ready to play tonight and bounced back" Steve Stone, head coach of the Knights, began explaining when asked about the game. Bouncing back with a sweep is a big momentum swing for the Knights as Stone continued to say that the team "executed the game plan and kept it simple tonight, allowing us to come away with the win."
The Knights will come home for a matchup against the Humber Hawks (6-0), the current 1st place team in the OCAA West, on Saturday, November 9th at 3:00pm. The game will be held at the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at the Welland Campus as Niagara College gets set to also host their Open House from 10:00am-2:00pm. Be sure to check-in on the action in the gym and if you're not able to attend in person, make sure you catch all the action live on the Niagara Knights YouTube channel.
