Road sweep to begin 2025 for No. 4 Women's Volleyball
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Humber | 26 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
Redeemer | 24 | 23 | 17 | 0 |
By: Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications
Ten sweeps in twelve matches, just two sets conceded, and a campaign that strikes fear into any opponent. On the evening of Wednesday (8th), the three-time OCAA champions returned to the court after the December break and made quick work of the Redeemer Royals. With another stellar collective performance, coach Chris Wilkins' squad triumphed 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-17) over the hosts at the Athletic Centre Gymnasium in Ancaster, solidifying their lead in the West Division. With this victory, only the Hawks and Seneca Sting (East) remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Despite the significant gap between Humber and Redeemer in the standings (the Royals are only 6th with a 5-7 record), the two teams delivered a fiercely contested start to the game. The home team relied heavily on the skills of Joelle Lammers and Alyson Stolte (both finished the game with 7 points) to challenge the Hawks. On the other hand, the visitors countered with Amy Connelly (9k), Hannah Manners (7k, 2SA), and Amanda Larsen (6k, 1SA, 4BS), who were in inspired form. The trio was a nightmare for the Royals, executing sharp diagonal attacks and quick middle net plays. The set remained tied at 24-24, but the Hawks showed greater precision and closed it at 26-24.
In the second set, the Royals continued to push the nation's nº4 team, maintaining parity throughout the set. As in the first set, the Hawks managed their nerves in the decisive moments, closing it at 25-23. In the third set, the home team's energy visibly waned. Humber started strong, quickly establishing an 18-6 lead. With the wide margin, the Navy and Gold players relaxed, allowing the Royals to score eight consecutive points. Coach Wilkins called a timeout to make the necessary adjustments, and after the break, the Hawks regained focus and wrapped up the match at 25-17.
Humber Highlights
- Humber extends its win streak to 39 in OCAA matches, dating back to Feb. 11, 2023.
- Chris Wilkins holds a record of 445-62 as Humber's head coach.
- Amanda Larsen leads the OCAA with an average of 1.14 blocks per set.
- Humber leads the league with a .292 hitting percentage.
- The Hawks rank second in the OCAA in blocks (97) and kills per set (11.89).
What's Next?
After the victory over the Royals, the Hawks return for their first home game of the winter. Next Saturday, the team will host the St. Clair Saints at the Humber Athletic Centre, North Campus, aiming to defend their unbeaten record. The first serve is scheduled for 2 p.m., and live streamed on the Hawks Sports Network.
