MOOSE JAW, Sask. - The Humber Hawks kicked off their bid for the program's second national title on Thursday, going up against the CBC Bearcats at Briercrest College in Saskatchewan.
The Hawks went into action as the fourth seed after qualifying for the tournament thanks to a second-place finish at the OCAA championship, while the fifth-seeded Bearcats are in Saskatchewan after a title game appearance in the PACWEST Championship.
After regular seasons in which both teams often dominated, and disappointing losses in their respective provincial title games, the stage was set for a great match-up between two hungry, talented squads.
The Hawks showed some jitters in the first set, falling behind early and unable to put a real dent in the Bearcats lead. Down 20-16, Kamyn Wilkins missed a tip shot by inches and CBC carried the momentum on the strength of some well-placed serves to close the set out 25-20.
Humber picked up its play in the second, and after some back-and-forth play the score sat at 10 apiece. With Craig Barclay serving well the Hawks took a tenuous 14-13 lead, but the Bearcats got their outside hitters going again, forcing the Hawks to take a timeout down three. A big David Ward spike kept the Bearcats momentum; Terrel Bramwell's block at the net cut the Bearcast lead to three, but it was too little too late and CBC took the set 25-21.
The third set saw Humber take an early 9-7 lead thanks to some nifty work around the net from Andre Brown, and another Bramwell block put the Hawks up three. After CBC's first timeout, a powerful Bramwell hit to the corner extended the lead to 18-14 and it looked like Humber might get back in it.
Unfortunately for the Hawks though, the Bearcats would end any hopes of a comeback, going on a match clinching run and ending the set 25-20. Afterwards, Bramwell was named Humber's player of the game.
The Hawks will now take on Saint-Jerome tomorrow at 2 p.m., with a chance to still play for a bronze medal.
For the complete competition schedule or information on the championship, visit www.ccaa.ca/national-championship-s15090.
Source: Humber College