Humber Hawks power through Wolves in quarter-finals

The Hawks Nest rumbled in anticipation for the women's volleyball quarterfinals, with anthemic music echoing through the gymnasium to build momentum. 

The team sought and achieved its 29th consecutive season in the OCAA semi-finals by sweeping the sets against the Algonquin Wolves on Feb. 23.

The Hawks used their home advantage and kept a strong lead throughout the set in the first set. 

Middle blocker Amy Connelly smashed a round-winning kill to get the serve to keep a six-point lead alive at 19-13. 

And it was OCAA all-rookie team and first-team all-star winner, Faith Hughes, who ended the set by spiking the ball to the sideline to win the set, 25-17. 

The Hawks' confidence in the second set was visible, although the Wolves were hungry for redemption after trailing through most of the first set. The Wolves came out with renewed intensity. 

The second set began with Wolves striking first, shifting the pressure onto the Hawks. 

Humber head coach Chris Wilkins called for stronger communication among his players, looking to steady the pace and regain control before the gap widened. 

The second set kept a tight scoreline, as the teams shared a point each round, preventing either side from building a lead. Time-outs were the crucial tactic for the teams to try to throw off the service and make the opponent lose their focus. 

The timeout used by Humber when they were down by three, 19-21, helped regain control. They battled back to tie the score at 22-22, and the teams remained deadlocked for six more rallies.

The momentum shifted when left side Caitlyn Labelle and middle blocker Keyome Ellis combined for a crucial block, stopping the Wolves' attempt to pull ahead. 

In a set where it could be anyone's game, keeping fans and players on their toes, the Hawks rallied to win three crucial rallies in a row to break the tie and hold onto a slim two-point advantage, securing the second set with a 27-25 victory. 

Despite the Wolves being down two sets, they played the third with the knowledge that a win could keep their semi-final dreams alive.

However, the Hawks countered by trying to keep the flow they had in the first two sets. But a five-point lead for the Wolves caused Humber to call for a rare early time-out. 

That critical break allowed Humber to restore its momentum and force a deadlock at 15 points. 

The Hawks then turned it up with the energy and determination to end the set. Fifth-year Keyome Ellis had the last touch of the game, smashing the ball straight down the court to secure the Hawks' place in the final four in the OCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. 

They will meet Seneca Sting in the semi-finals on Feb. 27 with hopes to keep the OCAA championship streak alive.