#1 Fanshawe Sweeps #15 Niagara at Falcons Fest

(London, Ontario) – On Saturday afternoon at Fanshawe Athletics annual Falcons Fest event, the #1 nationally ranked Fanshawe Men's Volleyball team (14-0) swept the #15 Niagara Knights (9-5), three sets to none. The win extended their OCAA regular season unbeaten streak to 45 matches. The Falcons are in first place in the province and have secured a playoff spot.

Fanshawe and Niagara traded points to start set one. The Falcons got offense from local talent Cole Jordan and James Jackson. The Knights took a 15-12 lead midway through the set but Fanshawe would get back on track with a huge block by Mitch McFadden (St. Pauls, ON) to tie the set at 21. The Birds were able to sneak away with a first set win by a close score of 26-24.

The home team would step up their game in set two, taking an early 10-3 lead with a block from Mike Liscumb (Ilderton, ON). A rocket serve from Jackson stretched the Falcons' lead to 13-5. Fanshawe outside hitter Zach Albert (Brampton, ON) then added a strong left-side kill and the Falcons would go on to take the second set by a more comfortable score of 25-18.

Taylor Jordan (London, ON) led the Falcons in the third set with a pair of kills. The Knights would hang with Fanshawe though, tying the set at 14. A great dig from David Gundrum (Port Elgin, ON) allowed the red and white to regain a slim lead. A huge hit from James Pratt (Uxbridge, ON) excited the home crowd and Fanshawe would win the match 3-0 after a 25-19 final set victory. Gundrum recorded 20 digs in the match to move him into fourth place on the OCAA all-time career digs list with 628. The top performers for the Falcons were Jackson and Taylor Jordan with 13 and 11 points respectively.

The Falcons will face two nationally ranked opponents next week, as they travel to Ancaster on Tuesday to take on #10 Redeemer (10-4), then will host #4 Humber (12-1) on Saturday, February 2 at 3pm.