Women's Volleyball earns spot in first-ever national title match

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

OSHAWA, Ont. – Three set wins away. That is all that separates No. 3 Humber women's volleyball from making history. The Hawks defeated the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) champions, No. 2 VIU Mariners, in a hard-fought five-set match (25-21, 25-17, 12-25, 18-25, 16-14) to punch their ticket to their first-ever CCAA final on Saturday, March 8.

Caitlyn Labelle and Hannah Manners were a nightmare for the Mariners' defence, combining for a total of 29 kills, while Reese Cholette contributed with a game-high 17 digs.

Match Recap

Heading into the national semifinal, the Hawks stood just one win away from making history. Despite 19 previous national appearances, Humber had never reached the championship match. After a dominant quarter-final sweep over the Augustana Vikings, they carried momentum but faced a formidable test against the No. 2 VIU Mariners.

In their quarter-final, the PACWEST champions Mariners cruised past the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference champions, No. 12 Providence Pilots. A powerhouse on the national stage, VIU won four straight CCAA titles from 2018 to 2022 before settling for a bronze and silver. In their sixth national semifinal, the Hawks faced a similar foe—the Mariners had eliminated them in the semifinals twice before. Two of the nation's top three teams met for a clash of finesse and history.

Neither team managed to establish a clear lead in the opening set as they traded points throughout. After trailing for most of the set, Caitlyn Labelle came up big at the net with a clutch block that gave Humber its first lead at 14-13. Locked in a 17-17 tie, the Hawks put on a 4-0 run to gain momentum. From there, the Hawks controlled the tempo, and Hannah Manners sealed the set 25-21 with an ace.

The Hawks carried their first-set momentum into the second, coming out strong and aggressive. A quick ace from Manners and two from Rachael O'Dell, combined with powerful kills from Amanda Larsen and Amy Connelly, propelled Humber to an early 7-2 lead. The Hawks' relentless pressure exposed rare defensive miscommunications from the typically disciplined Mariners. With a standout second-set performance and an eight-point lead, Humber dictated the set and closed it out with a commanding 25-17 victory.

In the third set, VIU showed they were far from finished. The Mariners took control, executing their plays with precision as All-Canadian Aimee Skinner led the charge to a dominant 25-12 win, forcing the tournament's first fourth set.

The Mariners understood that a strong start could be the key to overcoming the Hawks. Once again, Skinner delivered a masterclass performance, helping VIU jump ahead 10-5. Humber clawed back, with multiple players sharing points to cut the deficit down to one at 18-17. But the Mariners held their ground and captured the set 25-18 to force a tiebreaker.

The Hawks watched their 2-0 lead slip away, and with it, the haunting memories of past semifinal heartbreaks crept in. The weight of history pressed down, the so-called semifinal curse threatening to strike again. In the tiebreaker, VIU held a slim 8-7 edge at the switch. Every point was a battle, neither team willing to break.

Then, with the score at 15-14, Labelle delivered a massive kill to put Humber on the brink of history. With years of heartbreak and a shot at redemption on the line, Manners soared for one final spike. The ball hit the floor. 16-14.

Tears streamed down the faces of players and head coach Chris Wilkins as they embraced the historic moment. History is made but not complete. The job is not done yet. Finals. Saturday. This is our time.

Hannah Manners was named the Player of the Match, presented by 4imprint, scoring 17 points, which included 15 kills, five digs and two service aces. 

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 3-5 all-time against the Mariners.
• Humber won its first CCAA semifinal match, improving to 1-6 all-time record.
• The Hawks improve to 6-12 against the PACWEST at nationals.
• Humber is one of just two undefeated teams in Canada, alongside the No. 1 Lakeland Rustlers.
• The Hawks are looking to be the first OCAA team to win gold at nationals.
• Head coach Chris Wilkins improves to 25-32 at the big dance.

What's Next?

Humber advances to its first-ever national gold medal match, aiming to capture the OCAA's first CCAA title. The Hawks will face the top-ranked Lakeland Rustlerson Saturday, March 8. The final is set for 6 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on CCAA Live.