(London, Ontario) – The No. 3 Nationally ranked Falcons (9-3) were defeated 3-1 by Humber (8-5) on Sunday afternoon at home.
Zack Admans (St. Thomas, ON) secured Fanshawe's first point of the match with a huge kill and converted on an ace later in the set to give the Falcons an early 5-3 lead. Third-year Tanner Paterson (Baden, ON) and Fanshawe's Jayden Crowther (London, ON) also contributed to Fanshawe's advantage with monstrous kills. Later in set one, the Hawks battled back and took over the lead. Huge blocks by Fanshawe's Crowther and a kill by Paterson tied the game at 17. Then, an Admans kill put the Falcons up 20-19 and Fanshawe went on to win the first set 26-24.
The visitors had the upper hand to begin set two. Down 5-2, outside hitter Daniel Ridings converted on a gigantic spike for the Falcons. The Hawks continued their run and the Birds trailed 19-13. Elliott Leslie (London, ON) fired up the home crowd with a great kill and a Ridings kill got the Falcons within five of the visitor's lead. Unfortunately, the Hawks prevailed and took the second set by a score of 25-19.
Ridings started the Falcons off with a big smash, set by teammate Matt Stechnicki (Guelph, ON), but the away team took a 7-3 advantage. During the following plays, Paterson recorded sweet kills to add to Fanshawe's score. Down 18-12, Fanshawe's Jack Voght (Ottawa, ON) got the crowd on their feet after slamming a powerful kill past the visitor's blockers. Fanshawe cut the Hawks' lead down to four with another kill by Voght and an electrifying Crowther block. Ultimately it was not enough, and the Hawks won 25-20 in set three.
Kills by Ridings, Admans, and Stechnicki gave the Falcons a strong start to set four. Despite Fanshawe's strong play, the Hawks took the lead. Kills by Paterson and smart defensive team plays made by the Falcons gave them a 15-14 advantage. Voght added to Fanshawe's score with a massive block, but the Hawks stayed in striking distance. The visitors went on a late run and took a 24-21 lead. Fanshawe responded well and went on a run of their own to tie things up at 25. After multiple lead changes, the Hawks won the match and took the fourth set 30-28.
On Thursday, the Falcons look to increase their win streak on the road against the Redeemer Royals (4-9).
