North Bay, ON – Nipissing Men's Volleyball scored a key win at home on Friday, Jan. 23, defeating the Trent Excalibur 3-0 at RJS Athletic Centre.  

Nipissing started quickly, taking a 9-4 lead in the first set off of Marc Marchand and Zander Kasunich kills. Trent stormed back, bringing the match to 11-9. The teams traded points and possession before Nipissing went on a five out of seven point run to take a 17-12 lead. From there, Grant Haley picked up two big kills to help the lead grow more. Trent O'Brien and Marchand added kills of the own. Nipissing took advantage of Trent scoring errors to win the first set 25-18.  

In the second, the score was closer as neither team took any sort of run until the middle of the set. Trent O'Bren and Grant Haley continued their form of big kills in big moments, helping Nipissing take control of the set at 20-16. Justice Smith would add a kill of his own, and Haley and O'Brien would continue form as Nipissing took the second set 25-20. 

In the third set, Trent and Nipissing were tied at four before the Lakers won five points in a row to lead 9-4. Trent followed that run with five points in a row of their own to tie the match at nine. The set would stay close from here until a Justice Smith kill and Trent service error gave Nipissing a three-point lead, 18-15. Trent would again tie the match after three points in a row of their own. What followed here was Nipissing taking control and scoring four points in a row to lead 23-19. Kills by Marc Marchand and Grant Haley gave the Lakers momentum. Justice Smith scored Nipissing's 24th point, and Marchand sealed Trent's fate with a kill as the Lakers took the third set 25-20 and the match, 3-0.  

Marc Marchand led the Lakers with 16 kills, 4 digs and 2 blocks. Grant Haley scored 9 kills, 1 service ace, and 8 digs. Justice Smith had 6 kills, 1 service ace, and 5 digs. Trent O'Brien had 4 kills and 1 block.  

The win moves Nipissing to 8-7 on the season. Men's Volleyball is back in action Saturday, Jan. 24 at 4PM facing Trent once again at home. Catch the game live on OUA.tv. 

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