Men’s Volleyball punches ticket to OCAA final four
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Canadore (1-1, 1-1) | 30 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
|
Humber (2-0, 2-0) | 32 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communication
ETOBICOKE – Humber men's volleyball (13-5, 2nd West) is headed to its ninth consecutive OCAA final four after defeating the Canadore Panthers (14-4, 3rd East) in three sets (32-30, 25-21, 25-21) on Saturday afternoon at the Hawks' Nest. The Hawks still wait for information on the tournament host.
Two-time OCAA Player of the Year Teyven Blackmore led the Hawks once again offensively, recording new career-highs with 26 kills and 29 points.
Match recap
Humber men's volleyball welcomed the Canadore Panthers for the program's first meeting in OCAA postseason play. While this marked their first clash in a win-or-go-home setting, the Hawks entered with a perfect 24-0 all-time record against Canadore.
Still, the odds were closer than the records suggested, as the Panthers were riding an eight-match winning streak, including a crossover-round sweep of the Conestoga Condors.
Despite being on the road, Canadore looked comfortable to start the game. The Panthers, led by OCAA East Division Player of the Year Sean Malherbe, jumped out to an 18-13 lead.
In moments like this, you need big-game players to make a difference. To no one's surprise, two-time OCAA Player of the Year Teyven Blackmore sparked the Hawks to tie the set at 21-21 and complete the comeback in cardiac fashion at 32-30.
Humber carried that momentum into the second set. While Blackmore stayed red-hot, the Brazilian wall of Enzo Endres and Apolo Bras took over at the net, combining for three early double blocks. By the time the score reached 8-1, the Panthers had already burned both timeouts in an attempt to ice Humber.
With no timeouts left, the Hawks dictated the tempo the rest of the way. Canadore trimmed the deficit late, but the early hole proved too deep, as Humber captured the set 25-21.
The Panthers knew they had to come on top early in the third set, knowing their season was on the line. They grabbed the advantage early and kept Humber at a distance, as service errors prevented the Hawks from fully erasing the deficit.
It would only be at 21-21 that Humber managed to level the score. Powered — again — by a dominant performance from Blackmore, who finished with 25 kills, the Hawks regained control before Bras sealed the match with a solo block, 25-21.
Humber Highlights
- The Hawks hold a perfect 25-0 all-time record against the Panthers.
- Humber boasts 22 consecutive wins in the OCAA postseason — the longest in program history.
- The Hawks improve to a 75-25 all-time OCAA playoff record.
- Humber holds a 21-5 all-time record in the OCAA quarterfinals.
- The Hawks are headed to their ninth consecutive OCAA championship weekend appearance.
- Head coach Wayne Wilkins boasts a 459-148 all-time record and a 69-32 all-time OCAA playoff record.
- Teyven Blackmore's 26 kills and 29 points are new career-highs.
- Enzo Endres has scored double-digit kills in 12 matches this season.
What's next?
Humber advances to the final four of the 2026 OCAA Men's Volleyball Championship, set for Feb. 27 to March 1. The Hawks are still waiting for confirmation of the tournament host. All championship matches will be streamed live on OCAA Live.
