HUGE PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS IN UPCOMING HAWKS/KNIGHTS GAME
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Niagara ( ) | 21 | 17 | 19 | 0 |
|
Humber ( ) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
ETOBICOKE, ON: This coming Thursday night at the Humber Athletic Centre, the Humber Hawks will host the Niagara Knights, in a game that has huge playoff implications. With five teams having very similar records, all battling for just the remaining four spots, a win for the Hawks may well put them over the edge and into the post season.
THE MATCH UPS
Thursday, January 26/17
Humber Hawks (Etobicoke) vs Niagara Knights (Welland)
8-4, 3rd West 7-5, 4th West
30 minutes after the completion of the women's 6:00 pm game
Humber Athletic Centre – North Campus
LAST TIME OUT VS NIAGARA
Humber took the match in Welland by a score of 3-1 (25-17, 27-25, 23-25, 25-22). The Hawks came into this match undefeated, and this win extended that run to five game. After this win, Humber was sent reeling, with four straight losses before the break. League leader Clayton Blanchette was the star on this day, as he parlayed 24 kills and 2 blocks into 26 offensive points. Marcus Francis led Niagara, scoring 18 points.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
- The Knights finished the 2015-16 season with a record of 14-4, and a second place spot in the east. They went on to lose the OCAA bronze medal to Sheridan, as the West grabbed all top four spots at the championships
- They rank in the middle of the pack of entire league in team statistical categories, but are in the upper echelon when it comes to aces (3rd) and aces per set (5th) average
- Jeff Scott leads the Knights in scoring, checking in with a mark of 4.4 points per set. Marcus Francis follows closely behind, with an impressive average of 4.0 pps
- Setter Garrett Suderman is twelfth in assists (313) and ninth in assists per set (8.24)
- Coaching has always been a strength for the Knights, and Nathan Groenveld currently is in his seventh year at the helm
HAWK NOTES
- Humber has found the magic they had early in the season, and is currently on a roll of three straight wins to open up the second half. Already carrying the tiebreaker over the Sheridan Bruins, a win over Niagara would not only boost their record, but would give them the season series win over a team they are fighting with for a playoff spot.
- Clayton Blanchette continues to make his case for significant year end awards, as he leads the entire league in scoring by a wide margin. His mark of 5.9 pps (209 kills, 33 aces, 12 blocks) is almost a point and a half ahead of his closest competitor. He is first in:
- Kills - 209
- Kills per set – 4.86
- Aces - 33
- Aces per set – 0.77
- Alex Gibbs is in the midst of a great year, scoring at a rate of 3.4 pps and adding a much needed fire to the young squad
- Veteran setter Adam Kinoshita has been unquestionable leader of the Hawks, and his health has been surprisingly good for the elder statesman in the entire league
- Humber holds a 21-11 advantage over the Knights in league play history. The wins and losses have ping-ponged back and for over the past few years
HAWKS HISTORY WATCH
- In his 22nd season at the helm, head coach Wayne Wilkins is now seven wins away from becoming the all-time winningest coach in Humber athletics history.
- Clayton Blanchette's 254 points in a season is the fourth highest single-season total in program history. He trails Terrel Bramwell's record of 389 by 135 points.
HAWKS SPORTS NETWORK
Thursday's game will be live streamed on the Hawks Sports Network. First serve will take place 30 minutes after the completion of the women's match at 6pm.
