Volleyball action heating up down the stretch

The Nipissing Lakers volleyball teams were in action over the past weekend, with key games against Sheridan and Fanshawe.  The women’s team came away with two victories and the men’s team earned a split.Women’s ResultsOn Saturday, the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team improved to 10-1 on the season with a decisive 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-15) victory over the visiting Sheridan Bruins (6-6).
In the absence of head coach Marc LaRochelle, who was on a recruiting mission, assistant coach Ben Hong guided the squad to a solid effort.
Leading the way offensively for the Lakers was first-year middle Brittany MacComish, who powered the team with 13 points, including 10 serving aces. Rookie left side Christina Caruso continued her impressive campaign, collecting 10 points while Brittany Ardron and Jacquie Dyball each had eight.MacComish was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Game.
The next day, the women’s team played a solid match and defeated the visiting Fanshawe Falcons 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-20) in a crucial West division match-up.
The Lakers and Falcons sported identical 10-2 records and were battling for second place in the West division.
The Lakers were able to get off to a quick start due in part to some serving that put a lot of pressure on the Falcons receiving core.
“I am really proud of our effort today,” said LaRochelle. “We were really able to stay in the match mentally when things didn’t go our way and we continued to work and that showed some maturity and growth in our game.”
Second-year right side player Brittany Ardron led the team with 12 points while the rookie Caruso added 11.The Lakers were also able to collect 64 digs.
“Our defence did a very good job today. Every player committed and we had effort on every ball,” added LaRochelle.
Caruso was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Game.
The Lakers now improve to 11-2 on the season and will play a single game Sunday as the Niagara Knights visit the Bay. The game is scheduled to start at noon.Men's Results
The Sheridan Bruins showed their claws coming out of hibernation to hand the Lakers men’s team their third loss of the season with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21) road victory.
The Bruins (8-4) took advantage of the Lakers 19 missed serves and numerous unforced errors to score the upset victory. The loss drops the Lakers record to 9-3 and they are now tied with Niagara for second place in the West division.
The division race is heating up and is certainly proving that gold is up for grabs in the 2012-13 season.
Leading the way offensively for the Lakers was fourth-year left side Scott Coulthard who scored 14 points. Teammate Tom Podstawka added 11. The only other Laker to reach double digits in scoring was fifth-year right side player Andre Leblanc who had 10 points.
On Sunday, the men’s team put together a solid bounce back effort by sweeping the visiting Fanshawe Falcons 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-18).
Andre Leblanc and Taylor Bielby led the offence with 12 points apiece while Frankie Edgecombe added 10.Bielby was selected as the Boston Pizza Player of the Game.
The win improves the Lakers record to 10-3 on the season and drops the Falcons to 5-7.
With the win, the Lakers look to next Sunday as an important match-up for second place. The Niagara Knights own a 9-3 record with one game in hand and will be looking to avenge an early season loss to the Lakers.