HAWKS OPEN SECOND HALF ON HOME COURT THURSDAY NIGHT
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sheridan ( ) | 17 | 16 | 30 | 20 | 1 |
|
Humber ( ) | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 3 |
ETOBICOKE, ON: The first place and nationally ranked Hawks start off the second half on Thursday night in the same manner they started the season, and that is with a match-up with the Sheridan Bruins. Although the Hawks won the season opening game, they were pushed to the limit by the Bruins, as they were forced to a fifth set before winning the match 3-2. Since that point the Hawks have not surrendered a single set, winning twenty five straight sets and extending their record to 9-0.
The Bruins went on to lose the next two matches and sat at no wins after three games. They have responded admirably, winning five of the next six, and sit with a mark of 5-4. They currently occupy a play-off spot, but there are four teams flirting with the three available spots at that area of the West Division standings.
The Humber squad has just returned from an extended training stint in Hawaii, which saw them compete with some of the top collegiate teams in Canada. It was not all about volleyball, as the team came together to explore the islands and learn about its history, including an emotional trip to Pearl Harbor.
Hawk superstar Thalia Hanniman, the 2015 OCAA Player of the Year, has returned for her fifth and final season and has not lost a step. She currently leads all Hawks in scoring with a mark of 4.6 points per set, which also puts her a just a small percentage point behind the overall league lead.
The Hawks have progressed seamlessly throughout the Fall semester, and that is without any contribution from last year's second top scorer in injured outside hitter Kelsey Kovar, and University of Toronto transfer Devin O'Connor, also recuperating from injury. Fourth Year player Brooke Kinnaird has picked up the slack and is playing the finest volleyball of her career. Other notables are Middles Ally Newman and Elizabeth Deakin-Poot. Newman, a fourth year standout, has established herself as the top Middle in the league, while Deakin-Poot has returned to her familiar spot in the middle.
Dimitra Stathakos leads the Bruins, and occupies the seventh spot in the league scoring race. She has a pps mark of 3.7, and is among the league leaders in kills per set, at 3.12. Manuela Alvarez is the only other Bruin above the 2 mark in scoring, as she checks in at 2.1 pps.
Humber was on quite a roll as the Fall semester came to a close, and they are hoping to pick up exactly where they left off but with some good news from the infirmary. Should Kovar and O'Connor return and contribute, the Hawks should be a very good position to repeat as OCAA champions.
Sheridan currently has bragging rights over the league, as being the only team to snare a set off the Hawks. Not only grabbing a set is on the mind of the Oakville club, but winning the match is paramount. Any wins against teams ahead of them in the division will go a long way in securing a play-off position.
The first serve will fly at 6:00 pm, from the Humber Athletic Centre.
Should you be unable to attend the game, you can catch it "LIVE", by clicking on the link below:
