HAWKS SWEEP OF MSVU PLACES THEM IN NATIONAL BRONZE GAME

GRANDE PRAIRIE, AL – Rebounding after a heartbreaking semi-final loss Friday night, the No. 3 Humber Hawks women's volleyball team were triumphant in their CCAA National Championships bronze semi-final matchup Saturday afternoon against the No. 8 Mount Saint Vincent Mystics, winning the game in three sets and advancing to the bronze medal match (25-17, 25-20, 25-21). 

Beginning the match evenly paced with their opponents, the Hawks gradually pulled ahead, taking a three-point lead halfway into the set on a Julia Watson kill. The Mystics would fight back, pulling within one point, but the Hawks secured their lead again with a four-point rally on fantastic serving from Jasmine Lougheed. Kills from Breanna Golding and Nicole Collard highlighted another four-point Hawks rally, leading the team to a 25-17 victory in the first set. 

An ace serve from Brynne Spence-Coleman opened the second set for the Hawks, who quickly leapt to a 6-2 lead. Trying to defend their position on the scoreboard, the Hawks would lose their cushion as the Mystics tied the game at 11 apiece before stealing the lead. Refusing to fall far behind, the Hawks kept the score close before retaking a two-point lead. Though the Mystics tied the game again the Hawks remained in control, with Spence-Coleman and Collard leading the charge on a five-point rally to take the second set 25-20. 

Taking an early three-point lead in the third set, the Hawks fought to protect their lead from a desperate Mystics team. After repeatedly tying the game, the Mystics managed to jump ahead at the halfway point, with the Hawks trailing 13-12. Three straight points gave the Hawks the lead again, only for the Mystics to tie up the score and pull ahead once more. Multiple kills from Golding kept the Hawks in the game, and with Celine Blanchette and Golding leading a four-point rally the Hawks sealed the deal, winning the third 25-21 and taking the match in three sets. 

Collard, with eight points (seven kills, one block), was named the Player of the Game for the Hawks. Golding led the Hawks in scoring with 16 points (15 kills, one serving ace). 

Spence-Coleman was second on the Hawks in points with nine (six kills, one serving ace, two blocks) and led the team in digs, with 17. Watson finished with seven points (seven kills). 

The Player of the Game for the Mystics was Jasmine Smith, who had seven points (six kills, one serving ace). Madison Urquhart led the Mystics in scoring with ten points (eight kills, one serving ace, one block). 

With the win, the Hawks advance to the bronze medal match later this evening, where they will face the No. 2 Lakeland Rustlers. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. MST (8:00 p.m. EST).