HUMBER WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT OCAA TITLE

BARRIE, Ont. - The drive for five is complete.

The Humber Hawks successfully defended their Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) women's volleyball championship for the fourth straight year, defeating the OCAA East regional champion Cambrian Golden Shield in straight sets to earn a fifth consecutive OCAA crown.

The 2012 OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship was hosted by Georgian College in Barrie, Ont.

First-year left side Deborah Mitchell (Scarborough, Ont.) contributed 16 points on 11 kills, two stuff blocks and two service aces in the 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-16) victory. Humber's Kris Dowling (Freelton, Ont.) and Cambrian's Kelsey Fielding (Sudbury, Ont.) were named players of the game for their respective teams.

It marks the first perfect OCAA women’s volleyball season since 2008-09, when Humber went 23-0. Following its perfect 18-0 regular season, Humber lost just one set at the OCAA championship, defeating Trent in the quarter-final 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-16) before winning 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21) over Nipissing in the OCAA semi-final.

The final featured two Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) all-Canadians in Humber's Kelly Nyhof (Georgetown, Ont.) and Cambrian's Shawna Metcalf (Azilda, Ont.). Nyhof was named tournament MVP to go along with her OCAA player of the year award.

Humber moves one step closer to a record six consecutive OCAA women's volleyball titles, set by crosstown rival Seneca from 1989-90 to 1995-96.

A trio of Humber Hawks were named to the OCAA all-tournament team, including Mitchell, Teresa George (Newtonville, Ont.) and Nina Carino (Scarborough, Ont.). Cambrian's Metcalf, Fanshawe's Kaitlyn Kelly (Waterloo, Ont.) and Nipissing's Brittany Ardron (Lakefield, Ont.) also earned all-tournament honours.

Humber goes on to represent OCAA at the CCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship, taking place in Nanaimo, B.C. from March 8-10.

If there is a silver lining for Cambrian, 2012 marked its best finish in women's volleyball since 2005, when the Golden Shield last won an OCAA title. Cambrian posted back-to-back 19-1 regular season records, resulting in two OCAA East regional championships.

Cambrian defeated Niagara 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-14, 25-20) in the quarter-final and Fanshawe 3-1 (25-18, 13-25, 25-16, 25-23) in the semi-final.

The OCAA bronze medal went to Nipissing after its 3-1 (25-19, 27-29, 25-22, 25-23) defeat of Fanshawe. It was a 2011-12 rubber match for these teams, having split the regular season series 1-1.

Ardron led the Lakers with a 19-point effort on 13 kills, three stuff blocks and three service aces. Kelly was strong in a losing effort, contributing 19 kills, one block and one ace for 21 points. Both were named players of the game for their respective teams.

Nipissing has won an OCAA in each of the last seven years. During that span, the Lakers have won one championship (2007), five silvers along with one bronze.

For complete tournament results, please visit the championship website.

OCAA WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

Tournament MVP
Kelly Nyhof, Humber

Tournament All-Stars
Brittany Ardron, Nipissing
Nina Carino, Humber
Teresa George, Humber
Kaitlyn Kelly, Fanshawe
Shawna Metcalf, Cambrian
Deborah Mitchell, Humber
 

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 31 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

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Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com