The Hawks returned from a three-game road trip to defeat the Niagara Knights at home 3-1 on Jan. 22.
Humber moved into second place in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West Standings with an 8-4 record after the game.
Before the game, it was a mid-table clash between the two teams, pushing for a playoff position.
Hawks head coach Wayne Wilkins said the team is entering a crucial part of the season as the playoffs approach.
“This is the best time of year,” he said. “We're getting into playoffs, and this time of year is all about execution.”
In the last two recent games, the Hawks created more errors in the second set compared to the rest.
Wilkins said the team has been aware of their tendency to commit more errors and has worked on preventing them ahead of the match.
“If you exhale too much (in the first set), then all of a sudden you're making a ton of mistakes,” he said. “Anytime we're playing a team that is like Niagara, you've got to minimize your mistakes, or they'll capitalize.”
Humber started to fall behind in the first set, trailing by a nine-point deficit, before a timeout was called by Wilkins.
The Hawks were able to slowly close the gap to five points, but with the Knights still in momentum, they closed the set with a victory of 25-20 after Humber’s first-year setter Sullivan Cofell committed a service error.
At the beginning of the second set, both teams kept the game close, but the Hawks took the lead and increased the deficit by three points before Niagara called a timeout.
Despite the Knights' call, they scored only four points, while Humber maintained its form and took the set by 10 points.
The Hawks would win the set comfortably, 25-16, after fifth-year outside hitter Teyven Blackmore delivered the final kill to end the second.
With both teams tied at one set each, Humber continued to bring its energy from the previous set as the team headed into the third with the same form.
Niagara kept the fight going, and the game remained close.
But despite the Knights' hopes of winning the third, they trailed behind with the Hawks leading throughout the whole set.
First-year outside hitter Enzo Endres would deliver the final kill to give Humber a 2-1 lead as they headed into the fourth.
The Hawks and the Knights both went back and forth, taking turns in leading the set, with this being anyone's game to take.
Both teams would be tied at 22-22, but afterwards, Niagara made minor mistakes.
The Hawks benefited when the Knights served a service error that sealed the victory 25-23.
After the game, Niagara's head coach Steve Stone said it came down to his team's execution in key moments during the match.
“In those pressure situations, you can kind of get ahead of yourself and lose focus,” he said. “A couple of errors late in that one to close it out for Humber.”
Blackmore finished with 25 points and 24 kills after the win.
Wilkins praised his dedication and commitment to the team and said the veteran could become a notable figure with this season being his last.
“He works hard for his team, and he's proud of wearing the H,” he said. “ I totally see a guy like that entering the Hall of Fame one day.”
The win also marked Humber's first three-game winning streak of the season.
First-year middle blocker Dante Sugarman said this form will boost the team's confidence moving forward.
“With the confidence we have right now, we can just keep sailing with it,” he said. “As soon as we play our game, we'll set it up for greatness.”
The Hawks beat Conestoga Condors on Jan. 24 to extend its unbeaten streak to four games.
Humber will host the Mohawk Mountaineers on Jan. 29 with the first tip scheduled at 8 p.m.
