Locals Lead Lakers
For a fourth straight season, the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team is looking to land a spot in the OCAA championship game.
And for the fourth straight year, they will be doing so with a strong local contingent.
Leading the way this season for the Lady Lakers has been the top-scoring duo of Stefanie Hancock and Laura Hudson, both of whom attended high school in North Bay and rank in the Top 10 among OCAA West Division scorers. But one of the league’s top contenders has also had strong contributions from libero Ashley Hummel, fourth in the West with 182 digs before Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over the Canadore Panthers, and Stephanie Stubbert, the team’s third-best scorer, along with reserves Nancy Barkley and Lucia Demarco
But this isn’t the first time a Lady Lakers team has achieved success with a strong crop of locals. The previous core, which included locals Megan Stacey and Lynn Danis, captured an OCAA championship in 2006-07.
So is there something in the Trout Lake water that breeds successful female volleyball players?
I think it starts with the high schools here,” said Hudson, the Lakers’ fifth-year middle and one of three locals last season to be named a West Division first-team all-star — along with Hancock, who also calls Huntsville home, and Hummel. I’m a Widdifield grad, and Widdifield is known for its volleyball, but I think it (collegiate success) is spread out through all the high schools in the (Nipissing) District. . . .
Get the full story from Jordan Ercit, The Nugget
