Excitement builds with Ontario varsity sports set to return this fall
Last year, COVID-19 put a pause on university athletics as students studied online for the school year and sports seasons were either shortened or cancelled.
Wednesday, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced schedules for men’s and women’s volleyball as well as men’s and women’s hockey. That news has some Nipissing Laker athletes seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
"It’s super exciting, especially because I’m going into my fourth year," said Shaelyn Francis, a left-side hitter on the women’s volleyball team. "It’s like I missed out on a whole year. Being a graduate, a leader on the team, and a vet, it’s kind of nice to see that we’re having a season."
Men’s volleyball captain Mason Blais echoed her comments. Blais is entering his final year of eligibility and plans to leave it all on the court.
"I’m just looking forward to chasing that OUA gold medal one last time -- I’ve been trying for five years, so we’re hoping this is the year," he said.
"We haven’t played with each other for well over a year now, so we’re excited to get the Nipissing Lakers uniform back on and giving it all we have."
Things will look a little different when the season begins. Typically, teams travel throughout the province and play every university, but come the fall, teams will only play those in their division and the season will be a bit shorter.
"I don’t think it really matters who we're playing," said Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey head coach Darren Turcotte.
"Our schedule did get cut by four games, but compared to the 2020/21 season, it’s definitely a step in the right direction."
Neither Nipissing University nor the OUA has announced whether fans will be allowed at games in the fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.