January 15, 2025

TORONTO, ON: The Niagara Knights women's volleyball team (8-5) took a drive up the
highway to take on the undefeated Humber Hawks (14-0) in a Wednesday evening
matchup. Putting up a good fight, the Knights could not find the answers they needed
as they took the unfortunate 3-0 loss (set scores were 14-25, 20-25 and 23-25).
The Knights were caught flat-footed in the 1 st set as they could not find their rhythm to
start the match, eventually taking the 11-point set loss. They went into the break and
came out with a renewed energy, taking the quick 2-0 lead in the 2 nd set. Both teams
traded points throughout the set which ended with the Hawks taking a commanding 2-0
set lead, with the 5-point set win. With even more fight still left in them in the 3 rd set, the
Knights made a late push to try to force a 4 th set, closing the gap to 23-24. Sadly, the
Hawks found their final point in the set and the straight sets victory. Kyleigh Baxter, the
2 nd year outside from Whitecourt, Alberta, led the Knights with 7 points on 6 kills, 5 digs
and 1 service ace. Sam Cormier and Tess Kelly, middles from the Niagara Region,
combined for 11 points, 7 digs, and 3 service aces.
When asked about the game, Steve Stone, head coach of the Knights, began by saying
"Humber is the top team for a reason and you've got to show up ready to play." Stone
continued to comment saying "we were super slow but we started to settle in and put
together the game plan and progressively got better. We know we have the ability to be
there but we've got to do a better job executing and being confident."
The Knights return home after this tough loss as they welcome the Sheridan Bruins (1-
12) to the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at the Welland Campus on Saturday, January
18 th . The game is set to start at 1pm as the Knights look to get back into the win
column.
For more information on the Knights teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.