Lady Lakers win

Lady Lakers beat division rival Mountaineers. Submitted by Marc LaRochelle, Sports Information Officer, Nipissing
University Athletics.


HAMILTON - In a pair of crucial Ontario Colleges Athletic Association volleyball road games the Lady Lakers defeated Mohawk College and Redeemer University/College while the men lost to Mohawk and beat Redeemer.

Friday the Lady Lakers strengthen their grip on second place in the Central-West division by edging their division rivals the Mohawk Mountaineers 3-2 (32-30,25-18,15-25,24-26,15-9). The Lakers started the match by taking the first two sets but mental errors allowed Mohawk back in the match. The Lakers down 2-0 in the deciding set took control of the match on the strength of solid defence behind the block and aggressive attacks at the net.

"This was a very important match for us," said head coach John Jeffries.

"We made some unforced errors that allowed Mohawk back in the match but we never panicked. We showed some poise and determination in remaining aggressive to the end and it paid off."

Megan Stacey led the Lakers with 15 kills, two aces and a block while Lynn Danis added 15 kills, two blocks and an ace. Lynn Danis was the Lakers player of the game.

Saturday, the Lady Lakers defeated the very athletic Redeemer Royals 3-1(25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-21). The Lakers played a more consistent match and stayed focused after starting right side Kelly Ramakko left the game with a sprained ankle.

"I thought this was Brittany Partington's best game of the season," said Jeffries. "We were able to maintain our composure during this match even when we were down."

Stacey led the Lakers with 20 kills, three blocks and two aces while Danis added seven kills and one block.
Brittany Partington was the player of the game.

On the men's side the Lakers and Mountaineers put forth an entertaining first set in which both teams had opportunities to close it out but the Lakers 13 unforced errors proved costly as Mohawk defeated the Lakers
32-30.

The lost seemed to take the wind out of the Lakers sail and
Mohawk took the next two sets 25-20 to close out the match.

"Our inconsistency has been detrimental to us this season," said Lakers head coach Duane Culin.

"We are not being beat by better teams, we are simply not playing to our capabilities night in night out. Inconsistent play does not result in a birth to the Provincial Championships."

Eric Yung led the offence with 9 kills and a block while Ian Dunville added 6 kills, two blocks and an ace. Jacob Carr was named the player of the game.

Saturday, the Lakers were able to change their fortunes by playing with some renewed energy and intensity. The Lakers Clint Gore came out flying and delivered some powerful hits that set the tone early in the match.

The Lakers swept Redeemer 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 28-26).

"We were able to maintain a high level of intensity for the entire match. We scrambled well, ran quick tempo offense and our defence was exceptional," said Culin. "I thought Clint Gore had a great game. He has become an impact
player in his first season and his progress is remarkable."
Gore led the offence with 14 kills and a block while Yung added nine kills and an ace. Gore was named the player of the game.