Laker v-ball teams prepare for camp (new)

The Nipissing University Lakers volleyball squads will begin training camps in early September.

They also have actively recruited numerous talented athletes from across the province that will be competing for several positions left by graduating players.

The Lady Lakers will feature right side Kelly Ramakko, North Bay, setter Christina Crozier, Sault St. Marie, and power hitter Brittany Partington, Regina.

Ramakko, a 5’9” right side / power hitter played four years for Widdifield Wildcats and won three “AA” OFSAA medals, gold in 2001, 2004 and bronze 2003. Ramakko was co-winner of the NDA’s most valuable player award.

Crozier is a 5’9” setter, who played for the Sir James Dunn Eagles in Sault St. Marie. The Eagles captured the “AAA” NOSSA crown and finished fifth at the OFSAA championships.

Partington is a 5’9” power hitter from Regina. Partington played for the Campbell Collegiate Tartans where she was named most effective offensive player and was a city all star in 2002-03. She also developed her skills playing for the Regina Volleyball Club. In 2001-02 her team placed fifth in the Canadian Open and placed fourth at the 2003-04 provincials.

According to Lady Lakers head coach John Jeffries, consistency will be the key if the Lakers are to accomplish their goal of gaining a medal at the OCAA championships.

“By all indications we will be a much bigger team physically. The girls from last year’s team now have a year of experience and know what it takes to win at this level. The key to our success will be our ability to be consistent throughout the season,” He said.

The Lakers have 11 players eligible to return and the coaching staff has recruited six other players.
“Those people will be pushing the returning players. The competitiveness had better be there right from the start. We have to be better coming out of the blocks,” Jeffries added.

On the men’s side, a feature athlete who has accepted Nipissing University’s offer of admission into the OTT program is Seamus Strutt.

He is a 6’4” power hitter who led Oakridge Secondary School team to a silver medal at the 2003-04 “AAAA” OFSAA championships.

Strutt also played for the London Oakes Club Team and they captured the 2003-2004 provincial championship. He was also invited to try-out for the provincial team.

The Lakers should be a well balanced team comprised of veteran starters including OCAA all stars Jacob Carr and Thomas Cook as well as Nipissing male athlete of the year Ian Sharp and rookie of the year Eric Yung.

“We have several holes in our line-up left by last year’s graduating class, but I am confident that some of the recruits will compete hard for starting positions, head coach Duane Culin said. “ With the bitter taste of an unexpected loss in the cross over game of last season bringing our season to an abrupt hault, the returning players are more motivated than ever to attain the success that eluded them last season.”

Some of the new players to look for will include Struut, Conrad Black, Clint Gore and Gerry Dupuis.

The Lakers also announced that Mike Kowal, a former Nipissing player and graduate, has accepted the position of assistant coach for the men’s squad as Mark Hopper takes a leave of absence to pursue a degree of faculty of education.