Keeping Pace
Mariners win two over the Blues to stay in the middle of the playoff hunt
NANAIMO - It looks more and more likely that four PACWEST teams will be in the running for the three final postseason spots. The Mariners are one of those teams and helped their cause immensely with two victories over a Capilano team that is right beside them in the conference standings.
JANUARY 19: VIU 3 Capilano 1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-22, 25-22)
The Mariners looked energized in their first game on home court since October, reaching 25 points in all four sets in a 3-1 victory over Capilano.
This was a sharp turnaround from VIU's games at Capilano in the fall semester when the Mariners didn't take a set off of the Blues over two matches.
Rylan Van Kooten led the VIU hit parade with 19 kills and added an ace. Jake Stobbe added 13 kills and 3 blocks while setter Owen Dyck was very active on offense and defence. He added 4 kills of his own and led the Mariners with 12 digs.
Middle Kieran Paauwe earned 7 blocks to top the block list.
JANUARY 20: VIU 3 Capilano 0 (25-12, 25-19, 29-27)
The Mariners came out firing again in the rematch and dug deep in the third set to earn a 3-0 sweep over Capilano.
Stobbe continued his outstanding play and led the Mariners with 16 kills and 18 total offensive points. Libero Enrico Del Mundo counted 21 digs--three times as many digs as the next Mariner.
The Mariners, Blues, and Camosun Chargers are all tied in the standings with 7-7 records. The Douglas Royals aren't far behind at 6-6, with all teams trailing the 11-1 COTR Avalanche.
On Monday, Stobbe was named VIU men's volleyball athlete of the week.
Up Next
The Mariners (7-7, three way tie for second place, PACWEST) have a bye week before returning to home court on January 30 and 31 against the Douglas College Royals (6-6, fifth place PACWEST). The Saturday, January 31 game doubles as an Alumni Day and Mariners volleyball alumni can register for an alumni social after the game (courtesy VIU Alumni & Advancement).
For more information, please contact VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.