Sault College athlete profile

(This story continues a series of articles profiling student athletes from Sault College's varsity programs. All photos and stories are submitted by the Sault College Athletic Department.)

*** COUGAR PROFILE OF THE WEEK:

Nicole Beauchamp

Nicole Beauchamp is Sault College's choice for athlete profile of the week.

A talented graphic design student, Nicole is no stranger to her preferred sport, volleyball. A third year vet, Beauchamp is a team leader, who is very focused and determined to be successful this season.

Standing at 5'3", Nicole is the team's setter. She has a soft touch with the ball and is the center of the team's offence. Her versatility and tipping techniques are important to the lady Cougars but it is her character that makes her a valuable asset.

Her athletic talent stood out at Korah Collegiate high school where she was an all-around athlete. A four-year top Colt Volleyball award winner, city all-star and two-time athlete of the year, Nicole was also recognized by the city of Sault Ste. Marie as the A.C.T badminton award winner.

"I've had the privilege of coaching Nikki for the past 6 yrs. She's a great setter who gives no less than her best every game," adds Cougar head coach Jeremy Murdoch.

"She's a highly skilled and competitive setter, with a tough serve, great court speed, soft hands and a fairly keen sense of what's going on around her during the game. When she wants to, she even seems to get up over the net and block a few big hits."

You can see Nicole Beauchamp and her teammates battle it out when they host the Nipissing Lady Lakers in league play this Friday December 2, at 8:00pm.

*** STRUGGLING COUGAR VOLLEYBALL TO HOST #2 RANKED LAKERS; COUGAR BASKETBALL AT ALPENA TOURNAMENT

The Women's Volleyball team will be playing host this Friday December 2nd to the number two-ranked team in Ontario when the Lakers of Nipissing (North Bay) travel west for an 8 p.m. match-up.

Struggling at 1-6, the Lady Cougars are in need of some consistent play in all areas of the game if they hope to turn things around.

Following this weekend, the team will have one more game remaining before the holiday break when they play the Niagara Knights at 1pm in the Sault College gym on December 10.

After suffering two exhibition losses at the hands of OCAA Central Division teams over the weekend, the Sault College Men's Basketball team will be at Alpena, Michigan to play in the Annual Cam/Am tournament this Friday and Saturday.

The Men's Baskeball team currently possesses a league record of 4 wins and 2 losses, well enough for second place in the tight west division.

Their next league game will be a home date versus the Niagara Knights on December 10th at 3pm. A Cougar victory could put them at the top of the OCAA west standings heading into the holiday break.