January 24th is the Durham Lords Men’s volleyball team’s chance to get a win after last weekend’s loss. Durham will be hosting the Seneca Sting at 6 p.m. Durham has had two losses this year while Seneca has had one, and Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator, Scott Dennis, says the Lords are looking to tie things up.
Scott Dennis, Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Seneca defeated Durham last year, they are first in the OCAA East division, and Durham is right behind them in second place.
Dennis says the team has studied the video from their last game and are looking to team stars like centre Riley McAllister, Craig Lush and jersey 12 Bradley VanHartingsveldt, who was last year’s OCAA East Region Rookie of the Year.
“First year centre Riley McAllister is doing a great job of running the offense, he’s distributing the ball well,” says Dennis, adding that Port Perry native, Lush, is a big presence in the middle.
Durham lost three nothing against the Loyalist Lancers in Bowmanville last Friday.
“It was a tough loss,” says Dennis, “They have a smaller gym, so there was probably a lot of pressure.” As for Durham College’s next game, “I’m sure coach [Andrew] Hinchey has a game plan in place.”
Durham College and UOIT offer their athletes an “Athlete of the Week” award every week. In order for athletes to receive this award they must have achieved an outstanding performance that week.
David McMann, a member of the men’s volleyball team, was announced the Durham College Athlete of the Week. According to McMann, Durham College and UOIT athletes receive a free pizza from Boston Pizza and their picture gets posted on the Durham Lords’ Facebook page.
Durham Lords Men's basketball team is looking to add another trophy for Durham College.
A rivalry that brings out the fans and gets the players blood pumping will take place at the Campus Recreation Centre January 31st, at 8 p.m.
In the East,the Durham Lords basketball team, currently ranked three, will host the first place Centennial Colts. Durham, who’s on a winning streak, is looking to win their sixth straight game in a row.
The Durham Lord's men's volleyball team practices before their game on Wednesday against the Loyalist Lancers
The Durham College men’s volleyball team has so far proved that with hard work, practice and high energy, anything is possible.
Now on a 13-game winning streak, the Lords have catapulted themselves into first place in the league. Led by head coach Andrew Hinchey, the team is ecstatic about its success.
“Thirteen in a row is obviously an excellent start,” said Hinchey.
“But we try not to talk about it too much. We’re trying to focus on one match at a time. We’re just coming in and taking care of business.”
Hinchey entered his first season as head coach in September, following longtime head coach Gord Williamson’s retirement last year.
“When I came in to work with these guys, I noticed they were giving 110 per cent each practice, which has helped get them to where they are now. We need to continue that work ethic if we want to continue to improve.”
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator Scott Dennis has followed the Lords since his arrival three years ago. He said the team has grown exponentially in terms of teamwork and accomplishment.
“So far they are trumping their record from last year,” said Dennis. “The team has a great attitude and they come out ready to play every game.”
He said Hinchey is able to keep his team energized and focused, and the players always seem to respond well to his coaching style.
“You look at (Hinchey) on the sidelines and he’s always right into the game,” said Dennis. “Sometimes I think he wishes he could get back on the court, since he’s a former volleyball player himself. The players seem to feed off his energy.”
The Lords (13 – 0) will attempt to extend their streak to 14 wins on Wednesday, when they will head to Belleville to play against the second-place Loyalist Lancers (11 – 3).
Below, students at Durham College and UOIT discuss their reactions to the Durham Lords men’s volleyball team’s success so far this season.
Durham College head golf coach, Mike Duggan has been selected as a member of the coaching staff to represent Team Canada at this year’s International University Sports Federation games (FISU).
Five coaches and 11 student athletes will represent Canada at the 13th FISU World University Golf Championships in Antequera, Spain from June 7 – 11.
Scott Dennis, the Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator for DC and UOIT’s athletics department, says that this could mean great things for the campus’ golf program.
“The incoming players for the golf team see how great the coaching staff is here at Durham College,” said Dennis.
“Having the coach here at DC representing Team Canada means a lot to them. They know the coach knows his stuff about golf and it brings more validity to the Durham College golf program,” he said.
Duggan has been the head coach of the Durham Lords varsity golf program for the last 12 seasons. Under his leadership Durham Lords golfers have had a lot of success on the provincial and national levels.
Duggan says he is happy to represent Team Canada and his leadership will help make a name for Durham College’s golf program.
“It helps put us on the map,” he said.
“Our golf program is highly ranked in Canada through the college loop,” said Duggan.
“This will put our name and college forward against some of the universities too… it will only help promote our program.”
This year The Durham Lords men’s team won the overall OCAA bronze medal.
In the past the Lords have had a lot of success, winning two men’s provincial team titles in 2004 and 2005 and a women’s title in 2005. The Lords’ men’s team earned medals in six straight Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships from 2001-2006.
The Lords have also participated in nine straight CCAA national championships with the men’s team winning three silver medals from 2004-2006 and the women’s team winning a bronze medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2005.
Check out the video below to hear what Scott Dennis and Mike Duggan have to say about the upcoming games.
