HAWKS CLINCH HOME PLAYOFF CROSSOVER GAME IN 5 SET THRILLER
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Humber (10-7) | 29 | 25 | 25 | 17 | 15 | 3 |
|
Conestoga (6-11) | 31 | 12 | 20 | 25 | 13 | 2 |
KITCHENER, ON: The Humber Hawks men's volleyball team (10-7, 4th West), had to battle all the way but knocked off the Conestoga Condors (6-11, 8th place) in five sets (29-31, 25-12, 25-20, 17-25, 15-13) on Friday night. With the win, the Hawks have earned themselves a home playoff crossover match next Saturday night.
The first set was an incredible ping-pong affair, with the home side prevailing by a score of 31-29. Both teams carried significant leads before allowing the other team get back in the set. Humber was up all the way through the extra point session, but could not put the Condors away.
The Hawks were all business in the second set and ran out to a quick 13-2 lead. With league leader Clayton Blanchette firing, the Hawks won the set easily 25-12. After 2 sets, Blanchette had already recorded 13 kills.
The third set was much like the first. In the back and forth affair, it was the Humber side that prevailed 25-20 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Veteran Michael Majcen was key in this set. Alex Gibbs has been the best Hawk on this night through three sets, checking in with 12 kills and an ace.
After falling behind by five, 10-5, early in the fourth, Humber came back to take a 13-12 lead. It was when the Hawks were up 17-15 when they fell apart, surrendering a run of 1o straight points to drop the set 25-17.
Humber ran out to a quick 6-2 lead, but found themselves behind at the 8 point break. It was the trio of Adam Kinoshita, Alex Gibbs and Clayton Blanchette that spurred the Hawks onto victory in the fifth, with key kills and aces along the way.
Blanchette ended the night with 23 kills and 2 aces. Gibbs was spectacular, and checked in with 16 kills and an ace.
With the win, Hawks head coach has raised his career total to 313 wins, and is now second all-time at Humber.
Humber will complete the regular season on Wednesday, February 15, as the travel to Hamilton to play the Mohawk Mountaineers.
