HAWKS EARN SATURDAY HOME PLAYOFF CROSSOVER GAME
Posted: Feb 15, 2018

HAWKS EARN SATURDAY HOME PLAYOFF CROSSOVER GAME

ETOBICOKE, ON: The Humber Hawks men's volleyball team suffered a defeat for the first time in 15 games to end the regular season, but based on their 15-3 record, have placed second in the West and earned a home playoff crossover game. The East Division's seventh placing team, the Algonquin Thunder, will travel to Etobicoke on Saturday for a do-or-die match with the Hawks. The winner will move onto the Final 8 at Georgian College, while the loser will look forward to the 2018/19 season.

THE MATCH UP

OCAA Playoff Crossover
Algonquin "THUNDER"   @            Humber "HAWKS"
7-11, 7th East                                      15-3, 2nd West
Saturday, February 17/18
2:00 pm
Humber Athletic Centre – Etobicoke

LAST TIME OUT

Playing a match between two teams that had combined to win 31 straight games, the two teams put on quite a show for the crowd. Although the Hawks were swept away in three sets, the second set was one for the ages. The Falcons eventually outlasted the home team, winning by an exciting score of 41-39, needing 16 more points than the normal mark needed of 25. Dylan Devecseri led both teams in scoring, with an amazing 23 points, with 20 coming via the kill.

LAST TIME OUT VS ALGONQUIN

Based on the teams being in different geographical divisions, the two teams have never met in regular season competition.

SCOUTING ALGONQUIN

  • Algonquin ended the regular season on Wednesday night with a 3-2 loss to the La  Cite Coyotes, pushing the Thunder back to the seventh spot in the east. Algonquin led 2-1 after the first three sets, but was unable to close the match
  • They have lost four of their last five, and six of the ten played this semester. Advancing to the playoffs is a positive note for the Ottawa based club, as they started the 2017/18 campaign 0-4
  • Their team statistics indicate a team that should have had a better fate this year, as they are middle of the pack in most areas. They top out in kills at number five, but drop off considerably in assists per set, and check in at 16th
  • The Thunder have a legitimate banger in Jarrod McNaughton, as he boasts a point per set average of 4.3. This mark places him fifth in the league rankings. Jonas Zeithammel has also excelled, and he checks in with a fine mark of 3.4 pps
  • Jonah Nieman has been the setter of choice, and has accumulated 500 assists through regular season play

HAWK NOTES

  • Humber made it to the Final 8 last year by way of a crossover playoff win in the old system, but bowed out of shot at a medal by way of a loss to Georgian
  • The Hawks reside comfortably within the top ten of almost every team statistical category, topping out in assist at number two. They only drop off in digs, and sit at 14th
  • Freshman Dylan Devecseri has delivered everything that was been expected of him, and more. The highly touted rookie led Humber in scoring with a 4.0 pps mark, and hit for 20 kills against Fanshwe in just three sets this past week.
  • Clayton Blanchette and Kamyn Wilkins have also been outstanding, checking in at 3.4  and 3.3 pps, respectively
  • Rady Kim (351 assists) and Jake Gomes (206 assists) continue to share the setting duties 

HISTORY WATCH 

  • Wayne Wilkins continues to build on his second place all-time Humber Hawk coaching wins mark, and finishes the regular season with 330 wins
  • Clayton Blanchette, who surpassed 600 kills this past weekend in Sudbury, has cemented his place in a number of Humber career categories. He is fourth in points (738), third in kills (615) and fourth in aces (76). He will be in a position to move up once again next year.

 

WATCH LIVE 

The game will be streamed "LIVE" on the Humber Sports Network – HSN. CLICK HERE for the link