Lakers men’s volleyball team welcome Peckham and Leonard

Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball coach Eric Yung is pleased to announce the addition of Jack Peckham and Braden Leonard in the Fall of 2013.Peckham, a six-foot, seven-inch middle blocker, from Hamilton, Ontario, played for the MAC volleyball Club team during the 2011-12 season where they placed fifth at nationals. More recently Peckham lead his Cathedral High School team to a 48 win season and a fifth place finish at AAAA OFSAA.
"I am excited to welcome Jack Peckham to our volleyball program,” said Yung. “He is an enthusiastic student-athlete that will fit right in at Nipissing University. His eagerness to improve on and off the court combined with his size enables him to compete at the OUA level. Jack has tremendous upside and I am really looking forward to working with him and helping him reach his full potential."
Peckham is excited to join Nipissing as it enters CIS play in the Fall of 2013.
“The OUA is filled with talent and will provide great competition,” he said. “After touring the university and city of North Bay, I feel that the tight-knit community provides a great background to grow as an athlete and person. I like the small class sizes and ability to interact with professors at Nipissing too."
Leonard chose Nipissing University for the small school atmosphere and its beautiful wilderness location. “It’s like Georgetown meets Parry Sound,” said Leonard. “I was very impressed with the campus, residences and the athletic complex and I am really excited to be part of the first OUA season for Nipissing volleyball.”
In 2012 Leonard’s Georgetown District High School Rebels Sr. Boys team went undefeated and captured the Halton Championship and the G.H.A.C. Championship. They went on to finish fifth in the 2012 OFSAA AAAA Championship, losing the quarter final match in five sets to the Bill Crothers Colts, who went on to win gold.
Leonard played club volleyball for the Georgetown Impact at the 16U and 17U age levels, where he captured a provincial silver medal (16U) and bronze medal (17U). For his final club season, he played for the Mountain Athletic Club U18 team placing fifth at provincials and winning a gold medal in Tier III of the 2013 Canadian Open National Championship.
“Braden brings a successful resume to the court having won multiple medals at the provincial and national level,” said Yung. “Although a little undersized at the setter position, Braden has shown that his work ethic and competitiveness will make him an asset night in and night out. I am excited to add another young and determined student-athlete to our program.”
The Lakers OUA schedule is now complete and the Lakers will begin OUA play at home against the Waterloo Warriors on October 18 at 8 p.m. followed by the Guelph Gryphons the following evening at the same time.