Perfect season continues for No. 4 Men's Volleyball
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Humber | 17 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 3 |
|
Mohawk | 25 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 1 |
By: Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications
HAMILTON - The No. 4 men's volleyball team in the country maintained their eight-game winning streak and leadership in the West Division of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) by defeating the Mohawk Mountaineers 3-1 (17-25, 28-26, 26-24, 25-22) on Friday night (November 15). As the score suggests, the game was very challenging for the Hawks, who needed a lot of concentration and an extra dose of boldness to overcome the home team in a David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre (DBARC) packed with fans in Hamilton. With the win, the Navy and Gold solidify themselves as the main favourites to win the division and enter the playoffs in a strong position, where they will defend their OCAA four-time championship title.
Match Recap
Energized by the local fans, the Mountaineers started the match more focused and quickly imposed their game plan. No matter how much the Hawks tried to stop the home team's efforts, they could not find answers to the strong performances of players like Dean Zicari, Brecken Morrison, Alex Jurak, and Andrew Magirias. The result was a resounding 25-17 for the Hamilton natives, which dominated the No. 4 team in the country in the first set. A first set to forget for the Hawks.
With the negative impact of the first set, the Hawks needed to make adjustments to get back into the game. Despite the difficulties posed by the Mountaineers, Wayne Wilkins' team managed to respond with a more determined attitude. Highlights include Teyven Blackmore (20K and 2SA) and Michael McAlpine (17K, 1SA, and 2BS), who led the team's comeback. The second set (28-26) and the third (26-24) were decided by just two points, reinforcing the Hawks' strong character in decisive moments.
Even with the 2-1 lead for the visitors, the home team did not make it easy for the Hawks, and once again, the set was contested point by point. With the lead changing sides constantly, the tie remained until 21-21, when the Navy Gold finally shifted into high gear to win the set 25-22 and the match 3-1. McAlpine scored the final point with an unstoppable diagonal attack for the Mountaineers. With the victory, the Hawks secured an 8-0 record in the West, while Mohawk fell to 3-5 in the division.
Humber Highlights
- Teyven Blackmore reached his career high with 22 points (20K and 2SA). The outside hitter leads Humber this season with 84 kills.
- Michael McAlpine (17K, 1SA, and 2BS) also reached his career high with 20 points.
- Coach Wayne Wilkins holds a 431-139 record over 28 seasons at the helm.
- With the set lost against Mohawk, Humber has conceded only two sets this year. The other was against Redeemer.
- The Hawks have an unbeaten streak of 5-0 against the Mountaineers since their last loss, which occurred in the 2022-23 season.
What's Next?
The Hawks return to North Campus next Saturday, November 23, to face the Fanshawe Falcons. The first serve is scheduled for 3:00 PM, and the game will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.
