October 17, 2005 Source: Nipissing University:
http://www.nipissingu.ca/news/view.asp?ID=40 Lady Lakers blank Knights The Nipissing University Lady Lakers volleyball team opened the OCAA season by sweeping the Niagara Knights 3-0. The men were swept 3-0. The Lady Lakers looked a little nervous at the beginning of the match as the Knights came out strong and took a 5-1 lead. The Lakers settled down and, behind some solid defense, went on to take the first set 25-21. The Lakers offense was firing on all cylinders in the second set as the Lakers' speed kept the Knights defense guessing. The Lakers took the second set 25-11 and the third set 25-21. Megan Stacey collected eight points on eight kills while Lynn Danis added eight points on seven kills and one block. Kailee Bradley was named the Lakers' player of the game. "We are very pleased with the team’s effort today," said head coach Marc LaRochelle. "The team was a little nervous at first but we quickly gained our composure and played a good match. Our setters, Michelle Irwin and Christina Crozier, did a good job of distributing the ball and our middles used their speed, which allowed us to capitalize offensively. I think the most impressive part of our game today was our team chemistry and our ability to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the entire match." On the men’s side the Lakers knew they would be in tough as setter Connor Edie was sidelined with a shoulder injury and Eric Yung was away with the Lakers soccer team. The team put forth a valiant effort but came up short as the Knights swept the Lakers 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21). Thomas Cook led the Lakers offense with 12 points on seven kills and five blocks while Seamus Strutt poured in nine kills and one stuff block. The Lakers Conrad Bedard was named player of the game. "Team chemistry is so important in volleyball and today it was missing on our side," said head coach Duane Culin. "I thought offensively we played well, however, our ineffective passing and poor transition hurt us in the end. We know what we have to work on as we prepare for some tough competition at the Durham Cup this weekend." The Laker squads will both be at invitational tournaments this weekend as the Lady Lakers travel to Sheridan College in Oakville and the men travel to Durham College in Oshawa.
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