VIU Pushed to the Limit by Capilano but Remain Undefeated
Mariners win their first five-set match of the year, follow it up with a 3-0 sweep at Capilano
NORTH VANCOUVER - It's always healthy for teams with championship aspirations to go through some adversity, and the VIU women's volleyball team got it from an unlikely foe in the Capilano Blues.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20: VIU 3 - CAPILANO 2 (25-27, 25-22, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10)
The Blues--with only one win on the season coming in to the January 20th weekend--took the Mariners to five sets before VIU took control in the fifth set, opening up with a 6-2 advantage and closing things out to win 15-10.
The Mariners kept feeding the offense through outside hitters Jane Lytvynenko and Cassidy Kitchen, who earned 25 and 24 kills respectively. Five Mariners counted double-digit digs, including Lytvynenko (15), Elise Stime (14), Kitchen (13), Jacey Neid (12), and Linnea Brickwood (11).
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21: VIU 3 - CAPILANO 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-12)
In Saturday's rematch, the Mariners were back to looking like the squad that hadn't dropped more than one set in a game all season, winning with a convincing 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-18, 25-12).
Cassidy Kitchen led the kill parade with 16 for the Mariners. Sophie Krupp had a well-rounded game with 4 kills, 3 blocks, and 11 digs, while setter Linnea Brickwood counted 8 digs, a block, two aces, and a kill.
The Mariners improve to 14-0 on the season and sit in top spot in the PACWEST. The Blues fall to 1-11 and are tied with the CBC Bearcats for fifth spot.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: LINNEA BRICKWOOD
Setter Linnea Brickwood was leaned on to keep the ship steady as the Mariners fought their way to two road victories in Week 8 of the regular season.
In VIU's five-set victory on Friday, Brickwood set up outside hitters Jane Lytvynenko and Cassidy Kitchen for a combined 49 kills while contributing 11 digs to the defensive side. On Saturday, she led an efficient offense to a 3-0 victory.
UP NEXT
The Mariners have a bye week in Week 9 but return to action at home on February 3 & 4 as they host last year's competition in the PACWEST and CCAA finals, the Douglas Royals (10-5). Friday's game goes at 6 pm while Saturday's game starts at 1 pm.
Including the matchups with Douglas, the Mariners have six games remaining in the regular season and five are at home: February 3 & 4 versus the Royals, February 11 versus Camosun, and February 17 & 18 versus the Columbia Bible College Bearcats. VIU has also clinched a spot in the PACWEST 'Final 4' Volleyball Championships, February 24 & 25 at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, BC.
Note: Tournament passes for the 2023 CCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship go on sale on Friday, February 3 at the VIU Gym and online through Eventbrite. Ticket purchase links will be shared on the VIU Mariners social media pages as well as through gomariners.ca and the CCAA.
In-game photo provided by Brent Mutis, Capilano University Blues.
For more information, please contact Matt Carter, VIU Athletics & Recreation Communications & Sports Information Coordinator.