#2 SEED HAWKS TO FACE #7 MSVU THURSDAY IN NATIONAL OPENER
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI: The Humber Hawks women's volleyball team roll into the 2016 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Volleyball Championship on Thursday afternoon as the number two seed in the national event. They have been steady in the national rankings at number three all year long, but with an upset in another conference's provincial championship, they were elevated to the two spot.
The Hawks (2) will open the event on Thursday afternoon against the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association (ACAA) champions from Mount Saint Vincent University. The two teams will battle in the tournament opener, which is scheduled for a 12:00 noon EST start.
Although geographically hundreds of miles apart, the two teams are very familiar with each other. Not only have the two teams met previously in CCAA national play, the Mystics have come from the east coast to the Humber Cup Invitational on a number of occasions. Last year at the nationals, it was the Hawks that the upper hand, defeating MSVU in three straight. The year before, it was the Hawks who took the hit, dropping a similar 3-0 match.
The Hawks finished the season with an unblemished record of 18-0, then added three more wins in sweeping their way to the OCAA title. The Mystics won the ACAA regular season crown with a record of 19-2, and then defeated the host Holland Hurricanes 3-2 in the Atlantic title game.
Humber is led offensively by 2015 CCAA All Canadian and CCAA Championship First Team All Star Thalia Hanniman. She checks in with a mark of 3.24 kills per set and a total offensive mark of 4.6 points per set. She is supported by fellow OCAA All Stars middle Alexandra Newman and setter Brittany Vanderlaan. Vanderlaan went on to be selected as the OCAA Championship MVP this year.
MSVU boasts a threesome of offensively skilled players. Camille Martinez leads the way with her kill per set average of 2.16. Christina Day and Madison Urquart check in with marks of 2.16 and 1.91 kps, respectively.
The winner of this match will move on to the semi-finals and a match up with either Vancouver Island University (6) from PACWEST and the Briercrest Clippers (3) of the ACAC. The loser will move over to the consolation side, in hopes of advancing to the bronze medal game.
The only significant difference moving forward is the actual game ball. The Baden ball will be used at the nationals, unlike the international Mikasa ball used in the OCAA. This should not prove much of a difference to the Hawks, as they have practiced with it during the year, and have seen it at previous nationals.
Should the Hawks continue to serve tough and make the first pass to the talented setter Vanderlaan, Humber should be in a good position to have a favourable result.
CCAA PREVIEW: http://www.ccaa.ca/matchups-set-for-wvb-nationals-p201535
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.ccaa.ca/national-championship-s15083
WATCH LIVE: http://www.ccaa.ca/watch-live-s15149
