HAWKS MAKE HISTORY WITH EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE OCAA TITLE
ANCASTER: When Humber Hawks women's volleyball head coach Chris Wilkins appeared on the court prior to the OCAA Gold Medal game wearing khakis and an old Humber short sleeved wind jacket, you know what was at hand. For the past eight seasons he has reached into his closet to grab this combination, and it worked once again as the Humber Hawks made OCAA volleyball history by winning its eighth consecutive OCAA Championship. The Hawks swept away a determined Durham Lords team in three straight sets, the last two in dominating fashion. The set scores were 25-21, 25-12 and 25-17.
This win completed Humber's fourth consecutive season of not losing a match in OCAA regular season or playoff competition. This victory is Humber's 12th overall, now tying Seneca for the most in history.
Humber earned the right to play for OCAA Gold by defeating Sheridan, and then the host Redeemer Royals in the semi-final. The Lords were the story of the tournament, having to win a crossover playoff game on the road just to get to the championship tournament, defeated the highly ranked Georgian squad and then knocked off Cambrian in the semi-final.
In front of a packed house at the Redeemer Athletic Centre, and after the Bronze Medal was awarded to the Niagara Knights, it was game on. The first set was the closest set of the night, with no team taking more than a 3 point lead at any point. The Hawks, led by the defensive efforts of Libero Jolande Amoraal, stayed in the lead most of the set, and actually hit the 20 point mark with a 3 point lead. Durham, showing the moxie they displayed all weekend, battled back and took a 21-20 lead. After a time out called by Humber, the Hawks got the ball and the point on a side out and then rattled of 4 straight points to take the set.
The second set saw the Hawks run out early to a big lead, and they never looked back. The combination of long service runs and powerful point ending bombs by Thalia Hanniman, pushed the Hawks further in front as the match progressed. The final score of 25-12 was truly indicative of the play in that set.
The third and championship winning set was tight at first, with teams staying within a point or two as the score reached double figures. It was then that Hawk rookie stand-out Brittany Vanderlaan went on a run from behind the service line and put the match out of reach. Down more than 10 points, the Lords refused to quit and went on a mini run of their own. Although Durham made an effort, the win for the Hawks was going to come sooner than later. Once the ball hit the floor to signal another Hawks championship the team swarmed onto the floor to celebrate.
Humber's leading scorer, as what has become commonplace this year, was OCAA Player of the Year Thalia Hanniman. Hanniman led all scorers in the match with an impressive 16 kills, 3 aces, and 1 block in just 3 sets.
Settter Brittany Vanderlaan was named the Humber Hawks Player of the Game.
After the silver and gold medals were presented, the gracious hosts from Redeemer announced the tournament All Stars and MVP. Humber was well represented with post-tournament awards, with 4 players being recognized for their fine play. Kelsey Kovar, Jolande Amoraal and Brittany Vanderlaan were selected as All Stars. Thalia Hanniman, who led Humber in scoring in every match, was chosen as the Most Valuable Player.
Humber will now advance to the CCAA National Championships, which will be held in Quebec in 2 weeks.
There may not be a lot of "definites" in this life, but this one is a keeper; Coach Wilkins will safely tuck his khaki's and wind jacket into a safe place in his home, and will once again hope to don it next year!
Official Tournament Website:
http://www.redeemerroyals.ca/sports/2015/1/7/GEN_0107154404.aspx?id=64
