Another straight set sweep for No. 4 Men's Volleyball

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – No. 4 Humber men's volleyball (4-0, 1st West) completed a season sweep against the Cambrian Shield (2-2, 2nd West) with a straight-sets victory (25-10, 25-20, 25-13) on Saturday evening at the Hawks' Nest. Humber remains unbeaten and has yet to drop a set across their four matches this season. Outside hitter Teyven Blackmore led the charge with a match-high 16 points, while Alec Loney was a proper wall at the net, grabbing three block solos.

Match Recap

It's been a very different start to the season for the four-time defending provincial champions, Humber Hawks. After dropping ten sets in their first four games last year, they entered their fourth match of the current season on a three-game sweep streak, including a recent victory over their opponent, the Cambrian Golden Shield, on Oct. 19. 

The first set started with Humber bringing up a good mix of plays from the left and right. Outsiders Kyle Gray-Phillips and Teyven Blackmore combined with five points to help the Hawks establish an early 11-5 lead. Cambrian called the first timeout of the match, but coach Wayne Wilkins used the 60-second break effectively to motivate his team. Humber returned the court with a 6-3 run, led by middle Alec Loney, who scored half the points, including two monster blocks. The team's flawless performance at the net continued, as senior player Nazyr Francis blocked two spikes in a row; Humber's game at the net was exceptional. The Hawks managed to maintain their momentum for the rest of the set, closing out with a score of 25-10. 

The fans at the Nest saw both teams trading points early in the second set. When the score reached 11-11, Humber pushed a three-point sequence that included Blackmore's kills and Loney's ace, sending Cambrian on a timeout. Although the Golden Shield kept the score close, they could not find a way to tie the match after Humber reached 20 points. Nazyr Francis then sealed the set with a powerful spike, finishing at 25-20. 

In what could be the match's final set, many expected that Cambrian would come out firing in the third set. However, the Golden Shield appeared to have run out of energy after their strong performance in the second set. Humber quickly jumped out to a 15-7 lead, with Blackmore and Michael McAlpine leading the charge with seven points collectively. On the verge of winning the set, one of the standout players of the match secured the final point for Humber. Blackmore jumped high at the net and sent the ball crashing to the floor, capturing a 25-13 victory and completing the season series sweep for Humber over Cambrian, 25-13. 

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 41-7 all-time against Cambrian.
• Humber holds a 20-1 record at home against the Golden Shield.
• Humber extends its win streak to 32 against the OCAA.
• Coach Wayne Wilkins holds a 427-139 all-time record over 28 seasons at the helm.
• Cambrian's ten points in the first set were the fewest they had scored in any set all season.
• Teyven Blackmore leads Humber on the season with 36 kills.

What's Next?

Humber fans have reason to cheer, as the Hawks will stay at the Nest for their next two games. Their upcoming opponent, the Boreal Vipères (0-4, 10th West), arrives tomorrow, Nov. 2, with the first serve set for 2 p.m. Come to the Nets to support your Hawks or catch the action live on the Hawks Sports Network.