Costly errors end Men's Volleyball national title hopes

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

EDMONTON, AB – Humber men's volleyball fell short in its 2026 CCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship debut with a three-set loss (20-25, 18-25, 14-25) to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) champions, the No. 2 Red Deer Kings, in the national quarterfinals.

The Hawks struggled from the service line, committing 22 service errors in the match. Humber will compete for bronze and face the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) champions, the No. 4 St. Thomas Tommies, in the bronze quarter-final. 

Match recap

In its debut at the big dance, Humber men's volleyball faced the two-time ACAC champions and defending national champions, the No. 2 Red Deer Kings from Alberta. The Kings posted a dominant 16-3 regular-season record and dropped only one set in the ACAC playoffs, led by ACAC South Player of the Year and ACAC Championship MVP Colby Nemeth.

The two teams met in last year's CCAA semifinal, where the Kings swept the Hawks. Humber was the clear underdog heading into this matchup.

The quarterfinal started with both teams playing back-and-forth volleyball early in the first. The Hawks were led by Enzo Endres and Teyven Blackmore, who combined for seven kills, but service and attacking errors kept the Kings in the game, and the Kings took the set 25-20.

In the second set, Humber's nightmares from the service line continued to haunt them. The Hawks recorded eight service errors in the set for a total of 15, 10 more than Red Deer through the first two sets. Early miscues and miscommunication in the setting game gave the Kings the breathing room they needed to claim the 25-18 win.

The Hawks were dominated in the third set as their struggles from the end line persisted. The Kings took full advantage and secured the sweep with a 25-14 win.

Enzo Endres was named the Player of the Match, presented by 4imprint, recording a game-high 14 kills.

Match Notes

• The Hawks hold a 2-2 all-time record against the Kings.
• Humber is 7-7 all-time in the CCAA quarterfinals.
• The Hawks hold a 3-4 all-time record against ACAC opponents.
• Humber is 22-22 all-time at the big dance.
• The Hawks have the most service errors of any team in the national championship with 22.
• Humber's 25-14 loss in the third set is now the worst single-set performance of the season.

What's next?

The Hawks will now play the bronze quarter-final round against the ACAA champions, the No. 4 St. Thomas Tommies, tomorrow, March 12.

The first serve is set for 3 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on CCAA Live. Follow Humber Hawks and Humber men's volleyball and visit humberhawks.ca for the full tournament coverage.