Splitting in Cranbrook
In the PACWEST’s marquee match-up on Friday the VIU Mariners took down the top ranked team in the country, beating the COTR Avalanche in four sets. It was their ninth straight victory winning 26-24, 25-17, 19-25 and 25-23.
The Avalanche battled hard but fell short. Their offence was led by the reigning Athlete of the Week Dylan Annala who collected 16 kills. Diego Policarpo added 10 in the set back and had seven digs.
On Saturday, the Avalanche stormed back and found their grove early, winning 25-23 and 25-15. However, the Mariners didn’t go away quietly earning a third set victory of 25-19 setting up a very exciting fourth set. It went back and forth and extra points were needed before the Avalanche finally finished them off, winning 32-30. Offensively Annala was again the leader with 22 kills, two aces and 10 digs. Policarpo offered balanced scoring as well collecting 16 kills.
Next weekend the Avalanche (12-3) hit the road for the final time before the playoffs and visit the CBC Bearcats (4-10) and the Mariners (10-3) visit the Camosun Chargers (8-6).
Chargers Earn Clean Sweep
Friday night the Camosun Chargers made quick work of the visiting Capilano Blues winning in three-sets 27-25, 25-17 and 26-24. The win was the first for the Chargers in the second semester after dropping two straight last weekend on the road at COTR.
On Saturday afternoon they picked up where they left off on Friday sweeping the Blues again and this time didn’t need any extra points, winning 25-15, 25-20 and 25-22.
The victories didn’t change much in the standings as they are still four points back of second place and two points up on the Dougals Royals for third.
For the Blues they have six matches left and need to run the table to have any shot of qualifying for the PACWEST championship.
Next weekend the Chargers (8-6) welcome the VIU Mariners (10-3) and the Blues (2-12) head home to host the Douglas Royals (7-9) for their only home match of the semester.
Royal Flush
This past weekend the Dougals Royals hosted the CBC Bearcats with plenty on the line with the teams so close in the standings in the fight for the final playoff spot. Friday night the Royals gave themselves a bit more breathing room, making a statement with a three-set sweep winning 25-17, 25-23 and 25-20.
Then in Saturday’s rematch the Royals kept it rolling with a 25-18 win in the first set. However, the Bearcats found another gear taking the next two sets 25-22 and 25-21 looking to keep pace with the Royals in the standings.
The Royals had other ideas. They were able to battle back in the fourth set evening the match with a 25-16 win setting up a winner take all fifth set. In the end the Royals would take the match with a 15-12 victory giving themselves some separation in the standings and earning the weekend sweep.
Next week the Royals (7-9) visit the Capilano Blues (2-12) and the Bearcats (4-10) welcome the COTR Avalanche (12-3).
