No. 4 Women's Volleyball stays unbeaten with win over Fanshawe
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fanshawe (3-6, 3-6) | 25 | 22 | 23 | 15 | 1 |
|
Humber (9-0, 9-0) | 12 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
ETOBICOKE – After a two-match road stretch, No. 4 Humber women's volleyball (9-0, 1st West) returned to the Hawks Nest with another win, this time against the Fanshawe Falcons (3-6, 6th West) in four sets (12-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-15). The Hawks have not lost a home match against the Falcons since Nov. 15, 2019. Fourth-year Hannah Manners was lethal in the attack, scoring a career-high 20 points, while middle blocker Amanda Larsen was a wall at the net, securing a career-high six block solos.
Match Recap
The wait was finally over. After 17 days away from home, Humber fans had a reason to celebrate as the Hawks returned to their home court for the first time since Nov. 6. Humber was dominant on the road, securing two three-set victories—one against the Niagara Knights and another that handed the Mohawk Mountaineers their first loss of the season. Back on their home court, the Hawks prepared to face the Fanshawe Falcons, who arrived at the Hawks Nest riding a two-game winning streak.
Going against the odds, the Falcons surprised the Humber crowd with a dominant start. The Hawks faced challenges at the net, with two Fanshawe players over six feet tall having a perfect defensive game. Even after coach Chris Wilkins called a timeout with the Falcons up 8-4, Fanshawe sustained their momentum, ultimately closing out the first set 25-12.
For the first time since the OCAA championship match against the Seneca Sting on Feb. 24, the Hawks dropped the opening set of a provincial match. Determined to bounce back, Humber returned to the court refocused. Etobicoke native Hannah Manners led the resurgence with seven points, helping the Hawks build a four-point lead at 16-12. Humber maintained their lead and continued to capitalize on their strengths. Manners jumped high on the left side and delivered an unreturnable spike to capture the set 25-22.
With both teams back to the third set, the fans at the Nest saw a neck-to-neck 19-19 game, and no squad could secure a comfortable lead. Things started to look shaky for the Hawks as Fanshawe jumped ahead by two at 22-20, but Manners clutched a spike and an ace to even up the match. After Amy Connelly's kill put Humber on the verge of winning the set, outside hitter Lexie Zicari sealed the deal with the final point, earning Humber a 25-23 set victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
After a back-and-forth clash early in the fourth set, the Hawks established a solid lead as Amanda Larsen's monster block put Humber ahead by six at 19-13. Late in the game, Manners took control, scoring five out of the last six points to secure the win with a final score of 25-15.
Second-year setter Kennedy Williscroft was named the Player of the Game, recording a double-double and finishing with a season-high 32 assists and ten digs.
Humber Highlights
- Humber improves to 43-7 all-time and 34-5 in the regular season against Fanshawe.
- The Hawks have not lost at its home court against the Falcons since Nov. 15, 2019.
- Humber extends its win streak to 37 against the OCAA, dating back to Feb. 9, 2023.
- Coach Chris Wilkins holds a 442-62 all-time record at the helm.
- Amanda Larsen is leading the league with an average of 1.09 blocks per set.
- Kennedy Williscroft has an average of 7.92 assists per set, sitting second in the OCAA.
What's Next?
No. 4 Humber will now take on the Conestoga Condors (1-7, 8th West) on Wednesday, Nov. 27, in their last home game of 2024. The first set is scheduled for 6 p.m. Come to the Nest to cheer on your Hawks for the last time this year or watch the stream live on the Hawks Sports Network.
