Match 1: Camosun Chargers 3, Holland Hurricanes 0
The Atlantic champion Hurricanes came out on fire to start the tournament, but the Chargers—playing in a familiar gym and with plenty of support up from Victoria—found their groove midway through the first set and got stronger as the game went on. The PACWEST champions earned a 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-15) win and move onto Thursday’s semi-final against the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings (6 PM PT).
For Camosun, Correina McNeice—voted the PACWEST’s top libero—was solid again in her defensive role. For the Hurricanes, Morgan White kept the Chargers off-balance with many difficult serves. McNeice and White were each selected as the 4Imprint Players of the Match.
The Hurricanes move to the bronze bracket and will face the Édouard-Montpetit Lynx at 1 PM.
Match 2: Augustana Vikings 3, Lynx d’Édouard-Montpetit 2
In an early contender for the most thrilling game of the tournament, the UAA Vikings and Édouard-Montpetit Lynx put on a show for their many travelling supporters and local volleyball fans. After a massive comeback from the Lynx—who were down 2-0—and a fifth set where the teams went blow for blow and it took 24 points to win, the Vikings took the heavyweight tilt 3-2 (25-22, 25-29, 21-25, 12-25, 24-22).
The 4Imprint Players of the Game were two dynamite offensive performers: Shae Boyes (Vikings) and Sophie Descheneaux (Lynx).
The Vikings will play a semi-final against the Camosun Chargers on Thursday at 6 PM, while the Lynx will face the Holland Hurricanes in a bronze quarterfinal at 1 PM.
Match 3: Humber Hawks 3, VIU Mariners 1
There will be a new champion in CCAA women’s volleyball for the first time in five seasons as the Humber Hawks recovered after losing the first set to defeat the host Mariners 3-1 (24-26, 25-14, 25-22, 25-21).
VIU, fueled by a packed home gym, took the first set on some electrifying kills from outside hitters Jane Lytvynenko and Cassidy Kitchen. The Hawks did not back down in the slightest, taking the second set decisively with a balanced offense led by Keyome Ellis, Erika Dodd, and Cassidy Andrews. While the Mariners showed pockets of inspired play, strong serving and a tough middle game from the Hawks won the day as they held tough through sets 3 and 4.
The 4Imprint Players of the Game were Ara Telan (Humber), who had a number of momentum-swinging kills and blocks, and setter Linnea Brickwood (VIU), who provided plenty of quality assists to the Mariners hitters.
The Hawks will face the Lakeland Rustlers in the second semi-final game on Thursday (8 PM) while the Mariners move to the bronze bracket and will face the USB Les Rouges at 3 PM.
Match 4: Lakeland Rustlers 3, USB Les Rouges 0
The MCAC champions from Saint-Boniface were game, but constant pressure from the top team in the ACAC led to a dominant 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-15) win for the Lakeland Rustlers.
The Rustlers, led by CCAA Coach of the Year Austin Dyer and CCAA All-Canadian and ACAC North Player of the Year Jenay Varga, showed they also had plenty of other weapons at their disposal. Kaylie Lueck, Lana Matthews, and Avery Bates also took advantage of their opportunities to pile up points.
For Les Rouges, fifth-years Samuelle Lamoine and Bendu Dukuly both earned some highlight-reel kills while libero Jenna Campbell was flying all over the court defensively all evening.
For her efforts, Campbell was named USB’s 4Imprint Player of the Game, while Lueck’s skill in the middle earned her Player of the Game honours for the Rustlers.
Lakeland moves on to face Humber in the 8 pm semi-final while Saint-Boniface will play the host Mariners in the 3 pm bronze quarter-final.
