Straight set sweep for No. 3 Women's Volleyball to open the postseason
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loyalist (5-14, 5-13) | 12 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
|
Humber (19-0, 18-0) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
ETOBICOKE – No. 3 Humber women's volleyball (19-0, 1st West) once again dashed the Loyalist Lancers' (5-14, 8th East) hopes of advancing further in the OCAA postseason. For the third straight year, the Hawks swept and eliminated the Lancers from winning a provincial title. On Saturday afternoon at the Hawks' Nest, Humber showed no mercy, making quick work of Loyalist in straight sets (25-12, 25-16, 25-16) to advance to the OCAA final eight. Senior player Hannah Manners recorded her 13th double-digit scoring game of the season, with eleven points, while setter Kennedy Williscroft had eyes on everyone on the court, recording 30 assists.
Match Recap
Déjà Vu. That was the prevailing feeling as the Humber Hawks and the Loyalist Lancers squared off again in the OCAA qualifying round. For the third consecutive year, these two teams were set to meet in the provincial playoffs, a streak that had sent Loyalist home the previous two times.
The Hawks entered the postseason riding a wave of momentum. Under head coach Chris Wilkins, Humber posted another perfect 18-0 record, securing a four-straight West Division title while dropping just four sets throughout the regular season. Meanwhile, the Lancers stumbled into the playoffs, losing four straight to close the regular season and finishing in eighth place. The odds were undoubtedly in Humber's favour.
It did not take long for the Hawks to take off in the opening set. Led by Hannah Manners and Amy Connelly, who combined for seven points, Humber quickly jumped to a commanding 12-5 lead and never looked back. Setter Kennedy Williscroft orchestrated the offense precisely, distributing plays across the court while the Lancers struggled to respond. Connelly sealed the set with a kill, handing Loyalist a 25-12 loss—matching their worst set performance of the season against the Centennial Colts.
The second set saw a more competitive battle unfold, with both teams trading points early on. A series of service and attacking errors kept the game tight, and Humber clung to a narrow 8-7 lead. However, the momentum soon shifted in the Hawks' favour, fueled by Sault Ste. Marie-born Averi Bodnar landed an unstoppable serve. The play forced the Lancers to call a timeout at 20-12. But Humber continued to capitalize points to secure a 25-16 victory.
Facing elimination against Humber for the third straight year, Loyalist returned to the third set determined to extend their postseason hopes. The Lancers fought hard from the very first point, keeping the score level at 8-8. But once the Hawks found their rhythm, there was no stopping them. Humber once again ended Loyalist's playoff run, clinching another 25-16 win to complete the sweep.
Second-year middle blocker Rachael O'Dell was named the Player of the Game, recording seven points, three block solos and three digs.
Humber Highlights
- The Hawks improve to 7-0 all-time against the Lancers, dating back to their first meeting in 2001.
- Humber has eliminated Loyalist from the postseason for three consecutive years, all in straight sets.
- The Hawks have won 13 consecutive OCAA postseason matches.
- Humber boasts a 46-match win streak against OCAA opponents, dating back to Feb. 11, 2023.
- Chris Wilkins holds a 68-8 all-time OCAA playoff record and a 453-62 all-time overall record as the Hawks' boss.
- The first set, 25-12, matched the Lancers' worst set performance of the season from their Nov. 27, 2024, matchup against the Centennial Colts.
- Hannah Manners has recorded double-digit scoring in 13 matches this season.
- Kennedy Williscroft has recorded 30 or more assists in nine games this season.
What's Next?
The Hawks have punched their ticket to the OCAA final eight. Humber will host the quarter-final match against the Cambrian Golden Shield (10-9, 6th West) on Saturday, Feb. 15. The match is set for 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network. Come to the Nest and support your Hawks as they chase a four-peat.
