ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The Humber Hawks have won three Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's volleyball championships in a row. Their next task will be slightly more difficult.

The Hawks are hoping to end a 28-year drought for OCAA schools at the 2012 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Volleyball National Championship beginning Thursday at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C.

In fact, the 1983 Sheridan Bruins are the only OCAA school to win a national men's volleyball title. There have been seven OCAA representatives to earn national silver and bronze medals since then, most recently a third-place finish for the Algonquin Thunder in 2007.

The great news for the Humber Hawks is that they couldn't be situated any better than their No.1 ranking heading into the tournament. Humber is on a 17-match win streak, only losing six sets during this span. And with OCAA player of the year and CCAA All-Canadian Terrel Bramwell on their side of the net, as well as previous experience at nationals, it could be Humber's best opportunity to earn its first-ever CCAA medal in men's volleyball, as well as a potential national title.

Bramwell (Mississauga, Ont.) had one of the best seasons in recent memory, averaging 6.7 points per set during the regular season, 1.6 points better than his closest rival and easily winning the OCAA West region scoring championship. The West region first-team all-star also led OCAA in kills per set averaging 5.67 while also contributing 26 aces and 25 blocks. In Humber's toughest test of the season, Bramwell produced 48 kills and 52 total points in a 3-2 (22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-6) come-from-behind victory over Mohawk in the OCAA semi-finals. The third-year right side was named a tournament all-star.

Humber fourth-year setter Derek Quinn (Mississauga, Ont.) was named tournament most valuable player at the OCAA championship. In three matches, Quinn totaled 10 points on three kills, five aces and two blocks. He was named player of the game in the final against Nipissing, serving up an ace to clinch Humber's third consecutive OCAA title. Prior to the tournament, Quinn was named an OCAA West region second-team all-star.

Another Mississauga, Ont., native, Andre Brown, was named a OCAA tournament all-star as well as a West region first-team all-star. The third-year middle and right side averaged 3.7 points per set and led the Hawks with 46 blocks.

Last year the Hawks finished in fifth place at the CCAA tournament.

Humber opens the CCAA tournament on Thursday at 1 p.m. PT against the Atlantic champion St. Thomas Tommies out of Fredericton, N.B.

All matches will be webcast on sportscanada.tv.

CCAA MEN'S VOLLEYBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Championship Website: www.ccaamensvolleyball2012.ca

Seeding
1. Humber Hawks (OCAA gold)
2. Douglas Royals (PACWEST gold)
3. Mount Royal Cougars (ACAC gold)
4. Griffons d'Outaouais (RSEQ gold)
5. Red Deer Kings (ACAC silver)
6. CBC Bearcats (PACWEST host)
7. Volountaires de Sherbrooke (RSEQ silver)
STU Tommies (ACAA gold)

Schedule (all times PT)
Thursday, March 8
Game 1 - Humber Hawks vs. STU Tommies - 1 p.m.
Game 2 - Griffons Outaouais vs. Red Deer Kings - 3 p.m.
Game 3 - Mount Royal Cougars vs. CBC Bearcats - 6 p.m.
Game 4 - Douglas Royals vs. Volontaires de Sherbrooke - 8 p.m.

Friday, March 9
Game 5 - Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - 1 p.m.
Game 6 - Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 - 3 p.m.
Game 7 - Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 (Semi-Final) - 6 p.m.
Game 8 - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (Semi-Final) - 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 10
Game 9 - Loser of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 6 - 10 a.m.
Game 10 - Loser of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 5 - 12 p.m.
Game 11 - Loser of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 (7th/8th place) - 2 p.m.
Game 12 - Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 (Bronze Medal) - 5 p.m.
Game 13 - Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 (Gold Medal) - 7 p.m.

With files from Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 31 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com