Men’s volleyball loses to Mohawk 3-1 at home

Humber’s men's volleyball team lost its fifth match of the season against the Mohawk Mountaineers on Jan. 29. 

The last time the Hawks lost at home against the Mountaineers was on Dec. 1, 2016, in a 3-0 sweep.

This also saw Mohawk sweep the season series against Humber, with the first-ever occurring in the 2016-17 season.

Before the game, both teams were coming off a five-set match.

Humber beat the Conestoga Condors after losing the first two sets, then won the next three, while Mohawk was the opposite, losing to the Cambrian Golden Shield. 

Mountaineers head coach Brad McClure said before the sets began that the result of this match will come down to the execution from the service line and in serve receive. 

“It's going to come down to our serve and pass,” he said. “Whoever serves tougher and passes better off those serves, that's how it's going to be won.”

Hawks head coach Wayne Wilkins said the key against a strong opponent like Mohawk is staying in the system.

“Anytime you play a good opponent, one of the challenges is to stay in system,” he said. “We're going to have to pass well, serve tough, block, and defend.”

“If we can do those things, then it allows our centre to give those guys the ball.”

The beginning of the first set saw Humber draw the first blood with a kill by fifth-year outside hitter Teyven Blackmore.

Both teams kept the game close, but the Hawks widened the deficit to four points before the Mountaineers called a timeout.

First-year outside hitter Enzo Endres would serve up five service aces for Humber, bringing the score to 12-6. 

The Hawks maintained their lead and secured the set victory 25-20.

It was much more of a Kyle Gray-Phillips show, as the fifth-year outside hitter accounted for nine of the Hawks' 13 kills in the first.

Heading into the second set, Mohawk took charge as they scored three unanswered points.

Humber would start slow, but eventually climb their way back to grab the lead before a time out was called by Mohawk, trailing 14-11.

The Mountaineers' defensive play following the time-out provided four successful blocks, and their offence brought the game back, eventually regaining the lead 22-20.

Humber could not come back and would lose the set 25-23 with the game tied at one set each heading into the third.

Both teams went back and forth, keeping the game a close battle. But Mohawk would take charge of the set as they went on to score four unanswered points before Humber called a timeout. 

The Hawks struggled to take the lead, as they trailed by seven points during the set.

Humber would close the gap to two, but ultimately could not win the set, losing 25-21.

The fourth was a must-win for the Hawks to keep the game alive, but the Mountaineers kept their momentum from the previous set and led 8-4.

It was much the same story for Humber, struggling once again and not being able to keep the gap close until the near end of the game.

The Hawks would bring the score to a one-point deficit before Mohawk called a timeout.

Humber was not able to come back from behind and lost the set 25-21, losing the match 3-1 at home for the first time since 2016.

Despite the loss, Gray-Phillips recorded a career-high of 15 kills.

Mohawks' head coach McClure said the win was an outstanding match back and forth. 

“It was an unreal battle in the second through fourth,” he said. 

Hawks head coach Wilkins said his team was outplayed.

“I told the guys earlier in the week that the best players don't always make the best teams,” he said. “The best teams always win. They were a better team than we were today.”

Third-year setter Nicolas Kozij said the team struggled to keep the momentum after a strong first set.

“We started hot, and they started a little cold,” he said. “We got off to a good start there, and the next three kind of failed to close it out.”

Humber will host its last two games at home against Boréal at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday against Cambrian.