2022 Season Preview: No. 4 Humber Women’s Volleyball

ETOBICOKE – No. 4 Humber women's volleyball will return for its 38th season, opening the OCAA schedule on February 10 against Conestoga at the North Campus Gym. First serve is set for 6 pm and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.

Fans will not be permitted to attend games for the first half of the season.

Scouting Conestoga

• Humber is 20-0 all-time against Conestoga, dating back to the 2010 season.
• The Condors have four returning players from last season.
• Conestoga finished the 2019-20 season in ninth place in the west division, with a 3-15 record.

2019-20 Highlights

• The Hawks made a postseason appearance for the 27th consecutive season, capturing the OCAA silver medal.
• Alex Bartmann finished with a program record and OCAA-best 481 assists.
• All-Rookie Alex Lachapelle finished with a program-record 239 digs.
• Alex Krstonosic finished second in the league with a .381 swing percentage.

At the Helm

Head coach Chris Wilkins returns for his 20th season, averaging 19 wins per season. Coach Wilkins owns a 375-53 (.876) career record – which is tied for most all-time in Humber varsity history with his brother and men's volleyball coach, Wayne Wilkins.

In 19 seasons, Coach Wilkins has only lost 18 matches during the OCAA regular season.

Assistant coach Taylor Robertson will be returning to the bench, joining Mandi Doris (Sixth season), Kelly Nyhof (Second Season), and Ben Hong (First Season) on Coach Wilkins staff.

Name Recognition

Alex Lachapelle, Megan Hunt, Alex Krstonosic, Olivia Foley, Cassidy Andrews, and Alex Bartmann return to the Hawks for the 2022 season. These six student-athletes have combined to play in 154 regular-season matches for the Hawks.

Ranked

The Hawks open the 2022 season as the fourth-ranked program in the country. Humber's highest-ranking last season was 14th. Only three OCAA programs are nationally ranked, including St. Clair (7th) and Mohawk (13).

Fresh Faces

11 players will be donning the navy and gold for the first time this season:

• Aleks Steins, Middle, Port Hope – Appeared in 36 matches for the York Lions (OUA), leading the team in scoring during the 2018-19 season. Steins also spent two seasons with the Niagara University Eagles.
• Jill Barr, Middle, Douglas – Played four seasons for the Trent Excalibur (OUA), appearing in 63 matches, recording 313 points and 43 blocks.
• Keyome Ellis, Middle, Scarborough – Appeared in 18 matches for the St. Clair Saints, finishing second on the team with 37 blocks.
• Emma Mueller, Middle, Guelph – making postsecondary debut.
• Sydney Ferguson, Setter, Grafton – making postsecondary debut.
• Erika Dodd, Left Side, Uxbridge – making postsecondary debut.
• Tessa Redden, Middle, Delta B.C. – making postsecondary debut.
• Erika Dodd, Left Side, Uxbridge – making postsecondary debut.
• Cecilia Zheng, Outside, Markham – making postsecondary debut.
• Miyu Laurendeau, Left Side, Scarborough – making postsecondary debut.
• Hannah Manners, Right Side, Toronto – making postsecondary debut.

2022 Schedule

• The shortened nine-game season will see the Hawks host four home games – opening the season with a three-match stretch at the North Campus Gym.
• A new playoff format will have the high-seed host, with the divisional playoff beginning March 9.

Record Book

Entering her final season, setter Alex Bartmann will look to add to her all-time assists record. In 48 career matches, the Uxbridge native has dished out 1,093 assists – 321 more than the next best at Humber.

After an incredible defensive rookie campaign, Alex Lachapelle has a chance to move into the top-5 all-time in career digs for Humber volleyball.

What's Next?

No. 4 Humber volleyball will continue its three-game homestand Feb. 13 against the Sheridan Bruins. First serve is set for 1 pm and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network. Follow @HumberHawks on Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all things Humber volleyball.