SHERBROOKE, Ont. - The Humber Hawks men’s volleyball team took a huge step toward a national title Thursday afternoon as they defeated the Red Deer College Kings in three straight sets, at the CCAA national championship in Sherbrooke, Que.

In their first game of the CCAA tournament, the Hawks were matched up against the Red Deer College Kings who got into the tournament via an at-large bid. The Kings were ranked fourth in Canada to Humber’s fifth position. The two evenly-matched teams produced an awfully close game.

The first set went just as expected in this fourth-fifth matchup. Each team traded serves and went back and forth trading points throughout the set. On match point the Hawks served into the net which seemingly gave the Kings some momentum, then Humber composed themselves and won the next two points and the set 25-23.

The second set was even closer than the first as the Kings came out looking to avenge the first set loss. After trading numerous points throughout the beginning of the set the Hawks found themselves up 24-23. Again the Hawks buried their serve into the net. Unlike the first set the Hawks did let the Kings gain momentum and they traded mistakes up to 28-28. Outside hitter Paul Kemboi came up to serve and delivered two monster serves that put Red Deer defence on their toes giving the Hawks chances to bury some the final two points. The Hawks took the set 30-28.

The third set was all Hawks. The Kings hung around and never let the Hawks build too much of a lead, but the set belonged to Humber. After some late mistakes in the set the Hawks got their heads straight and finished the job. The Hawks took the final set 25-22 and the match three games to none.

For his standout effort in the match, Andre Brown was named the player of the game.

Up next for the Hawks will be the national semifinals where they will play the top-ranked University of British Columbia Okanogan Heat. The Heat are coming off a decisive 3-0 victory over King’s College earlier today. The game will be played at 6 p.m. at CEGEP de Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Que.

The offical website, and link to streaming is: www.ccaamensvolleyball2011.ca

Source: Humber College