Lakers to represent at Nationals

The gold-medal winning Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team is playing for National glory, at the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association Championships. North Bay Nugget Sports Editor, Amanda Smith published this report on the team as they prepared for the big tournament.By Amanda Smith, North Bay Nugget
With a gold medal around their necks, the pressure is now off for the Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball team.
“This has been three years coming,” said fifth-year middle Adam Leblanc of Nipissing finally claiming gold at provincials last weekend. “The pressure (for us to win gold) is off.”
Now the team is off to Welland, ON to represent Ontario at nationals, but the veteran and his coach Eric Yung both agree there is no pressure on the team's shoulders.
“We're excited, anxious to represent Ontario,” said Yung before a team practice Thursday night. “We're nervous, which is a good thing. But we're less nervous than OC's.”
The Lakers are seeded third overall and will face off against Quebec's Griffons de l'Outaouais, who are seeded sixth overall.
“They are a typical Quebec team,” said Yung. “They have a strong defence but are a bit smaller than us.”
Yung said the Lakers will be facing some strong teams at nationals, but that is to be expected when the top eight teams play each other and he expects his players to match those expectations of high quality volleyball.
“They have another level we haven't shown yet and I'm waiting for that,” he said.
Nipissing at one point was ranked as high as first overall in the nation earlier this year before the team hit a snag in their season and backpedalled back down the rankings.
The Lakers surprised more than a few people when the team started their season back up again after the Christmas break and ended up losing five out of their seven games.
Nipissing had to regroup, win the remainder of their regular season games and win their cross-over game to qualify for provincials.
“Obviously we have expectations,” said Yung of the team. “The guys have really stepped up and started putting matches together.”
Leblanc agrees completely with Yung of the team stepping up.
“There was a lot of pressure on us,” said Leblanc. “I think most teams knew we'd be a contender. Our team is peaking at the right time.”
He said the entire team came together and played better.
“As a middle, I only block, but the entire team stepped up,” Leblanc said. “We were confident going into the final but Mohawk was the only team we hadn't beat in the regular season.”
He said you could feel the nerves on the bench during the five-set final before taking the gold medal.
Heading to nationals, Leblanc says the team is looking at it with a more relaxed attitude.
“Now we can just play volleyball,” he said. “We just need to keep doing what we've been doing.”
Leblanc acknowledges the team can always get better and if they get to that next level of play they are going to be a tough competitor.
“Our game plan right now is to cut down on our errors and play consistently,” he said.
The accomplishments for the Lakers continue in fourth year middle Frankie Edgecombe was honoured as Nipissing's first male All-Canadian volleyball player.
“Frankie has really come into his own,” said Yung.
Edgecombe is one of three of the Laker's captains this year and Yung can't say enough about the very athletic and versatile player.
“He's played three different positions this year; left-side, middle and right-side, and at each, he's excelled,” said Yung. “He is respected by his opponents to the point they revolve their game play around him.”
Yung says Edgecombe is still improving as he continues playing, especially since he has only been playing left-side for three or four months.
“It's a great honour,” said Yung. “He is a great player and he attracts attention as he has so many weapons.”
Edgecombe was one of three players named as this year's All-Canadian in men's volleyball, but the only one who was able to obtain a medal at provincials.
“I have to give credit to the team,” said Yung. “Players can be good on their own, but a great team makes them even better.”
Yung said he will be relying on Edgecombe during nationals to help lead the team.
Edgecombe is also a defencemen for the national men's ball hockey team.
The Lakers defeated Mohawk in five sets; 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-7) in the gold medal final. Nipissing finished the regular season in fourth place in the west division with a 12-6 record.