MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Lakers win home-opener in three sets

North Bay, ON – Nipissing Men’s Volleyball took down Toronto Metropolitan University in three sets Friday night at RJS Athletic Centre. 

The Lakers got off to a quick start, taking a 7-1 lead in the first set. TMU caught up and cut the lead to just two, making it 19-17.  

Kills by Justice Smith, Benjamin Franz, Taydon Shantz, and Marc Marchand helped close out the first set 25-22 for Nipissing.  

A back-and-forth second set saw both teams trade blocks and kills to land at 11-11. The Lakers then caught fire, winning 13 of the next 17 points to close out the set in impressive fashion, 25-14. Nipissing’s Grant Haley capped the set with a service ace. 

The third set began similarly to the second. Nipissing led 12-10 at the halfway mark of the set before once again turning it up a notch and scoring 13 of the final 21 points in the set, securing a 25-18 win.  

Marc Marchand led the way offensively for the Lakers with 11 kills, followed closely by Justice Smith with 10. Taydon Shantz recorded 8 kills, Trent O’Brien had 6, and Benjamin Franz finished with 5.  

Benjamin Franz led the defensive charge for the Lakers with 5 assisted blocks. Jack Svedsen and Marc Marchand each recorded 2 in the win. 

Nipissing’s win moves them to a 1-2 record this season.  

The Lakers next game is Saturday, November 1st at 4PM vs. TMU Bold at RJS Athletic Centre. 

#GoLakers