Photo courtesy of Nick Bondi
Mariners Earn Sweep
Friday night the first place Mariners kept rolling with a quick 3-0 sweep at the COTR Avalanche with finals of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-16.
On Saturday the Mariners swept again, winning their ninth straight match. They stopped the Avalanche 25-20, 25-18 and 25-17. It was the third sweep in their last four matches.
Next week the Mariners (12-2) visit the Camosun Chargers (7-7) and the Avalanche (3-13) head to CBC to meet the Bearcats (5-9) for their final road match of the year.
Royals Battle for Victory
The second place Royals needed to dig deep to fend off a late surge by the visiting Bearcats to win in five exciting sets 21-25, 25-18, 25-19, 14-25 and 15-10. The match looked like it was in hand after their 25-19 third set victory, but the Bearcats battled back. Despite being forced to a deciding set, the Royals showed character to win 15-10.
On Saturday the Royals earned the sweep, not allowing the Bearcats much of a push, winning 25-20, 25-21 and 25-17.
Next weekend the Royals (9-7) visit the Capilano Blues (8-6) in their final road weekend and the Bearcats (5-9) look to try and stay alive in the playoff hunt when they host the COTR Avalanche (3-13).
A Pair of Blue Fours
Friday night the Capilano Blues earned an important victory at Camosun, beating the Chargers in four sets after dropping the first one. The Blues roared back winning 19-25, 25-16, 25-21 and 25-21.
Then on Saturday they kept that momentum with another four-set victory resulting in them taking sole possession of third place in the standings. They beat the Chargers 25-13, 15-25, 25-20 and 25-22.
Next weekend the Blues (8-6) look for more when they host the Douglas Royals (9-7) in a pair of matches that could determine who will finish second. The Chargers (7-7) welcome the first place VIU Mariners (12-2).
This article is shared as part of our Fair Dealing Policy. For the original article, please visit: http://pacwestbc.ca/sports/wvball/2023-24/releases/20240128-Release-WVB-Week9-RECAP