HAWKS SEE POSITIVES IN PRE-SEASON LOSSES TO NIPISSING
NORTH BAY, ON: The Humber men's volleyball team travelled up to North Bay to kick of their pre-season where they played against the Nipissing Lakers.
FRIDAY
The Hawks started off the first set down 9-1 while Nipissing's left-side hitter went on a service run. The spin serve was easy to read and get behind for the men, however the force on the serve was not allowing them to run an offense, giving Nipissing the ball back every time.
Once Humber got the ball back, they began to push and got themselves out of the rut they were in.
"I think that with the guys we had and first coming together as a team, we gelled pretty well." Said Clayton Blanchette, second-year outside hitter for the Hawks.
Mid-way through the first set, libero Codi Burton suffered from an injury that impacted the team's chemistry. They fell to Nipissing 25-17.
With only four veterans on the team, the Hawks men's team was focusing on finding their groove with a lot of new additions.
The second set started off well, with high energy. It wasn't until a serving run from Nipissing's right side that Humber started to fall behind.
Humber fought back in the third set, with blocks from Alex Gibbs, 2nd year outside hitter, however it was not enough to put them ahead. Although the Hawks stuck with the Lakers, they dropped the third set 25-21.
SATURDAY
The Humber hawks came out ready to compete during the first set of the second match. The score was back and forth, and this set the tone for the entire match.
With tough serving and good defense at the net, Humber managed to set some benchmarks for future success.
After the 20-point mark, Humber and Nipissing battled back and forth in an edge of your seat overtime set.
With great digs, Humber managed to game with Nipissing until they lost the advantage point at 32-20 for the Lakers.
During the second set the men came out just as energized and played well.
A serving run for the Nipissing Lakers of 6 points would put the Hawks in the catch-up position.
"We were constantly behind by a point or two, and we just couldn't manage to get ahead." Oisin Hogan, first year player for the Hawks. "But we all agreed that it felt like we were playing with our best friends, we're all so confident in each other."
Humber drops the second set 25-18.
During the third set, although energy was high things weren't clicking for Humber. A few key plays kept them in the game, but not enough to stay up.
Mark Harrison had a huge right-side block against Nipissing's left side that provided the team with a moral boost.
Nipissing capitalized on their lead, and Humber fell 25-17 in the third and final set.
Next up for the Hawks, they'll be playing in the annual Alumni game at Humber on September 23, 2016.
