Perfect season snapped for No.3 Men's Volleyball

By: Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications

KITCHENER - No. 3 Humber men's volleyball (14-1, 1st West) suffered its first loss of the season, falling to the Conestoga Condors, 3-1. Looking fatigued from their five-set victory on Wednesday, the West Division leaders managed to win the first set but then unravelled. They watched the home team, third in the West, dominate the match and record its tenth win of the season.

The difficulty imposed by the Condors in the first set already indicated what was to come. From the beginning, the two teams alternated in leading the score. At no point were Wayne Wilkins' players in a comfortable position to dictate the pace of the game. One of the players who usually makes a difference for the Hawks, Teyven Blackmore, played a minimal role, contributing just four points during the match. Even so, with great effort, the visitors closed the first set at 26-24, with Blackmore scoring the decisive point to make it 1-0.

Something felt off. The unstoppable team dominating the competition could not find their rhythm on the court. The home team kept the game even once again, with tension lasting until 21-21. On Humber's side, Michael McAlpine (16K, 3SA, 2B = 21 points) and Nazyr Francis (6K, 2SA, 1B = 9Pts) were the standout players responsible for keeping Humber in the match. However, in the final phase of the set, spurred on by the local crowd, the Condors managed a three-point streak. Shortly after, with an attack by Tyrell Belgrove, they closed the set 25-22, tying the game at 1-1.

It was like pouring gasoline on the fire. The victory in the second set gave the Condors renewed energy. In no time, the home team dominated the scoreboard with an 18-10 lead. After a timeout called by coach Wilkins, the Hawks attempted a comeback, but once again, Conestoga knew how to control the game. Led by Walker Kalin (18pts) and Tyrell Belgrove (17pts), the Condors closed the set at 25-19 with an attack by Kalin, taking the lead in the match: 2-1.

The Hawks were shaken. For the first time this season, a team took a 2-1 lead, putting Humber on the brink of losing the match. From the beginning of the set, Conestoga took the lead, leaving the Hawks trailing on the scoreboard. Belgrove and Kalin remained unstoppable for the home team. On the other side, McAlpine was one of the few bright spots for Humber, but his efforts were not enough to catch up to the Condors. With this scenario, the inevitable happened. On an attack error by Blackmore, Conestoga closed the set at 25-20 and the match at 3-1.

Match Notes

• The Hawks now hold a 29-2 record against Conestoga.
• With 28 seasons at the helm, coach Wayne Wilkins has a career record of 437-140.
• Despite the loss, Humber leads the OCAA in kills (601) and ranks second in assists (530) and hitting percentage (.335).
• The result ended a 21-game winning streak against OCAA teams since last season.
• Teyven Blackmore still leads the OCAA with an average of 0.70 service aces per set.

What's Next?

No. 3 Humber will continue its road trip, heading to Oakville to play Sheridan on Jan. 22. First serve is scheduled for 8 PM at the Trafalgar Campus Gymnasium. The match will be broadcast live on OCAA Live via YouTube.