HAWKS LOSE IN BRONZE SEMI-FINALS AT MEN'S VOLLEYBALL NATIONALS

CCAA Bronze Semi-Final: Sainte-Anne Dragons 3, Humber Hawks 1

In the first of Friday's bronze medal semi-final matches, the Université Sainte-Anne Dragons of the ACAA faced the Humber Polytechnic Hawks of the OCAA.

The first set saw the semi-finalists trade points until a kill by Louis-Philippe Leblanc, who tallied 10 kills in the match, ignited the Dragons' offence, leading to a 25-21 victory.

The Hawks responded in the second set with a strengthened defence, holding the Dragons scoreless for the first seven points. Alec Loney's three blocks (six total for the match) were instrumental in this effort. The Hawks maintained their dominance and won the set 25-11.

At the start of the third set, the Dragons had to rally from behind. Crucial digs from Liam Pelletier and Braidey Spinney secured the defensive edge needed for the maritime team to win the set 25-22.

The fourth set was a hard-fought battle, showcasing the all-around talent of both teams. The Hawks held a two-point lead for much of the set. However, the Dragons' libero, Vincent Doucet, made a critical save to extend the set. Oliver Rutherford sealed the set for the Dragons with a 27-25 victory, highlighted by a solo block on Alec Loney and a match-winning kill that brought their cheering section to their feet.

Teyven Blackmore, an outside hitter for the Hawks, was named the 4Imprint Player of the Match after recording four blocks and 11 kills. Liam Pelletier, with 12 kills on 32 attempts, was named the Dragons' Player of the Match. The Dragons advance to the bronze medal match on Saturday at 4 p.m.

CCAA Semi-Final: Red Deer Kings 3, Humber Hawks 0

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings have punched their ticket to the gold medal final after another sweep, this time against the Humber Polytechnic Hawks in the final match of Day 2. The Kings started strong, but the Hawks would force them – thanks to back-to-back aces from Teyven Blackmore – into extra points before the end of the first set (26-24). The Hawks carried their momentum into the second set, but were unable to maintain it, falling to the Kings (25-23). Despite the Hawks' attempts to regroup, the Kings delivered a dominant performance in the third set, recording seven aces to clinch their spot in the championship final (25-10).

The Humber Polytechnic Hawks now face Université Sainte-Anne Dragons in a bronze semi-final at 6 p.m. on Friday. The Red Deer Polytechnic Hawks now play for gold against the Douglas College Royals on Saturday.

Kyle Gray-Phillips, with seven kills, was named 4Imprint Player of the Match for the Hawks. Racking up 12 kills, 7 digs, and 4 aces, the Kings' Player of the Match was Colby Nemeth.

CCAA Quarter-Final: Humber Hawks 3, College of the Rockies Avalanche 0

The final match of Day 1 showcased a sweep by the Humber Polytechnic Hawks of the College of the Rockies Avalanche. From the beginning of the first set, the Hawks led with a strong defensive presence. The Avalanche pushed back throughout the set, but fell to the Hawks 25-23. The second set proved to be a challenge for the initially in-charge Hawks as the Avalanche forced the set into extra points, ending 28-26 in the Hawks' favour. The Hawks took control early on in the final set, finishing the sweep 25-20.

The Avalanche will now meet the Providence Pilots in the 3 p.m. bronze medal quarter-final. The Hawks, now in the semi-final, will face the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings in another 8 p.m. matchup.

Reed Grusing earned the 4Imprint Player of the Match for College of the Rockies Avalanche, adding his 12 kills to the team's total of 33. The Humber Hawks' Player of the Match was awarded to Michael McAlpine with his nine kills, four digs, and one ace.

CCAA Championship Site: www.ccaa.ca/sports/mvball/championship/index

Source: Providence Pilots/CCAA Communications