Two matches in 18 hours, both with significant implications, lie ahead for the Humber Hawks men's and women's volleyball teams this weekend. The good news is that the games will be played in the friendly confines of the Humber Athletic Centre.
On Saturday evening the teams will host the Canadore Panthers, with the women starting it off at 6 p.m. and the men completing the night with an 8 p.m. first serve.
On paper, the games on Saturday look to favour Humber in a big way. The records between the women's teams could not be any more different, as Humber enters the match with a perfect 14-0 record, while Canadore is winless in 14 tries. The men's standings are a bit tighter, but Humber's 10-4 record far bests the Panthers mark of 1-13.
Statistically, no Canadore women's player is able to boast a point per set average of 2.0, but middle Janelle Lalonde checks in with an average of 1.8 PPS. On the men's side for the North Bay squad, Dan Trudel has had a very good year, as indicated by his average of 3.8 PPS.
Sunday will certainly provide the basis for outstanding and meaningful volleyball, as the Nipissing Lakers make their last-ever OCAA appearance at the Humber Athletic Centre. Nipissing will be leaving the OCAA and continue their program in OUA next year.
Starting with the women, the history between these two teams is legendary. Last year was the first time in seven years that the two teams did not meet in the OCAA final. Humber grabbed their sixth gold in seven years, while Nipissing took bronze. Up to that point Nipissing had one OCAA gold and five silver medals in six years.
Nipissing is fighting for both a bye into the OCAA championship, but is also contending with Humber for the division crown. The Hawks do lead with their 14-0 record, and have already booked a 3-0 win over Nipissing earlier this year, so Humber is close to locking up the division title but there are still games to play. Nipissing has an impressive 12-2 record.
The visiting Lakers are led by Brittany Ardron and her average of 3.3 points per set, which puts her tied for eighth in league scoring. Nipissing also boasts six more players with averages over 2.0, which indicates a balanced team attack.
Humber has reigning OCAA player of the year Kelly Nyhof playing the best volleyball of her career, and has proven that point in the scoring race. She currently leads all OCAA players with an average of 5.0 PPS. As with Nipissing, the Hawks have a number of players also showing up in the league scoring race.
A key to the game may not lie in the offensive numbers, but in the hands of fifth-year Hawk setter Nina Carino. Nina, a career all-star, is having another great year distributing the ball. Her serve has been deadly this year as well, accounting for numerous point-runs by the Hawks.
The men's game has becoming much more interesting since the latest stumble by former No. 1 nationally-ranked Laker's squad. Nipissing's men's team has lost three of five this semester, after winning the prestigious Limoilou Invitational in early January. Humber, who finished with bronze in Quebec, have also had their troubles but has reeled off four straight wins.
Nippising and Humber, provincial finalists last year, enter the game with identical 10-4 records. Both teams currently sit out of the bye-spots to the OCAA final eight tournament.
The North Bay squad has many weapons, as four members of the team have point per set averages over 3.0, led by Tom Podstawka's mark of 3.3 PPS. Eerily similar are the Hawks as they too have a large number of players hovering with similar offensive numbers. Matthew Isaacs, Cam Fletcher and Andre Brown all have averages of 3.2 PPS.
The game is big from a promotional point of view as well. It is Humber Alumni Volleyball "Throwback" Night and Powerade Give-A-Way Day.
The women open the day with a 12 noon start, and the men take the floor for a 2 p.m. first serve.
The usual full Humber TV production will not be available on both days, but Humber Athletics will be streaming a single camera feed, with commentary.
http://mediaservices.humber.ca/live/Athletics/athleticsstream1/
Source: Humber College