SICKNESS AND INJURIES PLAGUE HAWKS IN CCAA FINALE
VICTORIA, BC: The Humber Hawks 2017 season is now a wrap, as they dropped a 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-18 , 25-22) decision to the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics in the 7th/8th game at the CCAA National Championships at the PISE Centre in Victoria.
Both teams came into the game with 0-2 records, but an asterisk could be placed somewhere on this stat line. The Hawks and Mystics are the only two teams that took the two teams vying for gold to five sets. MSVU lost 17-15 to Lakeland, and Humber dropped a 15-13 decision to the host Camosun Chargers.
As mentioned in the headline, Humber entered the game with a number of key players suffering from illness, and had starting setter Gabie Miletic go down with an injury. Miletic left the gym on crutches, but the good news is that the injury does not look to have any long term consequences.
Humber ran out to a quick 8-4 lead in the first set, only to see the scrappy Mystics come back with a run to take the lead. The game ping-ponged back and forth until MSVU took over the game as it reached the 20 point mark.
The Hawks responded with one of their best sets of the weekend, and controlled it from start to finish. Solid defense and passing led to a number of uncontested kills by the Hawk outside hitters.
The third set saw Humber take a quick 2-0 lead, and seemingly on their way to build upon the set they just won, but MSVU made a run of eight straight points. The Hawks fought back to get to within two on many occasions, but they could not get even.
The fourth and final set was another back and forth affair, with the Mystics taking the game away late. Midway through the fourth, Humber had a very different line-up on the court due to sickness and injuries. This new group showed some great skills and determination, and that makes the future bright for the Hawks.
For the second time in the tournament, outside hitter Devan O'Connor was selected as the Humber Player of the Game.
A huge shout-out to graduating seniors Alexandra Newman (5 years), and Ashleigh Darrach (4 years). Both Newman and Darrach played outstanding in their last game as a Humber Hawk.