January 19, 2026
SUDBURY, ONT: The Niagara College men's volleyball team (6-5) took the long drive to Sudbury for a weekend series against the Cambrian Shield (8-2) and the Boreal Vipers (0-11). Saturday evenings game against the Shield did not go as planned as the Knights were defeated 3-0 (set scores were 11-25, 18-25 and 19-25). Sunday afternoon was a much different tune as the Knights were able to split the series in Sudbury and come away with the 3-1 win over Boreal (set scores were 25-17, 25-18, 24-26 and 25-16).
After giving up an early lead, the Knights found themselves trying to claw back into the first set. Unfortunately, the Knights weren't able to find their footing and the Shield were ultimately able to walk away with the first set win. In the second set, the Knights fought hard and were able to keep the set close until Cambrian was able to pull away late – putting Niagara in a 2-0 hole. The Knights were able to take an early lead in the third set, potentially cueing the comeback. However, the Shield closed the gap and took a lead that they would build on and not give back – sweeping the Knights. Jack Drummond was able to conjure up 8 points on 8 kills with 1 dig. Setter, Britton Burrows, contributed 17 assists and 2 blocks in the loss, while RJ Martin chipped in with 4 points, 2 blocks and 1 dig of his own.
Taking the evening to gather their thoughts, the Knights were able to enter Sunday's game against Boreal firing on all cylinders. Trading points to begin the first set, the Knights found the gas pedal and took the mid-set lead – on route to an 8-point set win. The second set had the Knights build a commanding lead from the start that the Vipers could not climb out of, ultimately creating a suffocating 2-0 set lead. The Vipers came into the 3rd set and flipped the script on the Knights, putting them back onto their heels, as they were able to squeeze out a 2-point set win – bringing the match to 2-1. In the 4th set, the Knights were determined to put this game away. The Knights closed the door right away, taking the lead from the get-go, as they sailed their way to the 9-point set win and 3-1 game victory. Jack Drummond (15), Riley Orr (13) and RJ Martin (13) all scored in double-digit points in this game, while also contributing a combined 5 digs, 4 blocks, 2 assists and 1 service ace. Britton Burrows was also able to step it up in this game, collecting 35 assists, 6 digs, 4 service aces, 1 block and 5 points.
"We had some guys playing in different spots this weekend and trying some new looks out," said Steve Stone, head coach of the Niagara Knights. Stone continued to say that "there's still plenty to improve on but we're looking forward to a week where we can get some guys back to being healthy and get back to work."
The Knights will travel to Humber College (7-4) for an evening tilt on Thursday, January 22nd. If you can't make the drive up to the Hawks Nest, be sure to catch all the action on OCAA Live – with the game set to begin at 8:00pm.
For more information on the Knights' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.
