Lakers volleyball teams post winning weekend

The Nipissing University Lakers volleyball squads both recorded victories in weekend action against the Mohawk Mountaineers.Men’s action: Bielby, Podstawka return to lead Lakers to comeback winThe Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team (6-1) dropped the first two sets but managed to climb out of the hole they dug themselves by storming back to take the next three sets to claim the 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-10) victory over the Mohawk Mountaineers (5-2).
In the absence of fourth-year middle player Frankie Edgecombe, who was attending the National Ball Hockey team try-outs, the Lakers saw the return of a few familiar faces from injury. Fourth-year setter Taylor Bielby made his regular season debut and outside hitter Tom Podstawka came back to solidify the left side.
The first two sets certainly did not go according to plan for the Lakers as the Mountaineers were the better defensive team.
In the third set, with the game tied at 13-13, the Lakers managed a three point run that also seemed to change the momentum of the match. The Lakers intensity and execution picked up and you could see the tension building on the Mountaineers side. The Lakers pressed from that point on and delivered an exciting three set comeback victory.
Podstawka had a game high 21 offensive points on 18 kills, two aces and one block while Scott Coulthard added 18 points. Podstawka was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Game for his stellar performance.Women’s Action: Taylor Leads Lakers to victory
The Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team improved to 6-1 as they squeaked by a gritty Mohawk Mountaineers (4-3) team 3-1(25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 25-13) in their final home game of the first half of the season.
“I thought we got outworked by Mohawk,” said head coach Marc LaRochelle. “We came out flat as a group and our communication was poor. All in all it was a rather disappointing effort at this time of the season.”
Ottawa native Victoria Taylor was called upon in the second set and she made an immediate impact. “I thought Vic brought us some much needed energy and she swung really well for us today.”
Taylor collected 12 points all of which came on kills and for her effort collected her second Boston Pizza Player of the game award in four nights.
Jacquie Dyball and Melissa White both added 11 points apiece and Brittany MacComish added eight points to round out the offence.