Posted: Jan 08, 2017

#2 HAWKS IMPRESSIVE IN QUEBEC SWING

MONTREAL, QC: The Humber Hawks women's volleyball team showed why they are ranked number two in the country this past weekend, as they rolled to a 3-1 mark in playing four games in just over 24 hours away from home.

Their finale was spectacular as the defeated the CCAA seventh ranked RSEQ Laurendeau team by a score of 3-1, and swept both games on Sunday.

The challenge was not only the travel and the high quality of opponents, it was the ball as well. Humber had to switch balls for the games, and it took them the first game to get comfortable with it. After that first match, they cruised the rest of the way by winning nine sets and only dropping three.

RECAP

By: Ashleigh Darrach

The Humber Hawks women's volleyball team set out to Montreal to play four matches against Quebec teams for the last portion of their training, before second semester.

The Hawks started off their first match against Collège Édouard-Montpetit.

An early wake up call proved difficult for Humber as they came out to a slow start. However, once they woke up, Humber managed to come back and tie it up after 20 points. The Hawks then went point-for-point with Montpetit, and came out on the losing end, dropping the first set 26-24.

In the second set, Humber's serve receive improved and allowed them to run a better offense. The Hawks remained in control of momentum and took the second set 25-18.

Despite fighting back in the second set, things weren't clicking well for Humber. There were a few compounded mistakes and unforced errors that cost the team points at crucial times throughout the match. Humber drops the next two sets, 25-12, and 25-18.

After a long break, Humber took the court for their second match of the day against Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne.

Fresh legs were prominent in the second match, and proved to be a major asset throughout the game, but not right away.

Things were not working and Humber could not find their rhythm. There was a major lack of communication throughout the first set, and Humber was unable to transition balls. Hawks drop set one 25-11.

The Hawks took the next three sets to answer back to the first set. Humber was communicating better on defense which allowed them to transition balls into a successful attack at the net.

Fifth-year middle Alley Newman went on a 8 point service run at the beginning of the second set, and the energy continued throughout the match.

Hawks take the next three straight sets, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-22.

Day two was an early wake up call as well, and Humber proved to learn from their previous match. Energy was better right away in the third match against Collège Lionel-Groulx.

Similar to the other matches, the competition was strong, but Humber improved each game they played and managed to learn to work better as a team.

In the third match, there were multiple service runs by outside hitter Brynne Coleman and setter, Gabie Miletic. Humber's tough serves allowed them to maintain control and momentum on their side. Humber won the first two sets, and dropped the third when they eased up on their serves, and allowed L.G. Nordiques to get back in the match. The Hawks came back strong to finish.

(1) 26-24, (2) 25-15, (3) 23-25, (4) 25-18.

The final match of the day was a combination of the best efforts and learning experiences of the previous three matches. Cégep André Laurendeau

pushed the hawks, but Humber controlled pace throughout nearly the entire match. Passing was better, defense was better, and the team was meshing well together. Despite dropping the third set, Humber managed to come back and close out in four.

(1) 25-17, 25-15, 23-25, 25-18.

Humber's first season game for the second half is on January 14 against Sheridan at their campus in Oakville.