Brent Mutis
CapU sports info
With the PACWEST playoffs out of reach and a top outside hitter not available, the Capilano Blues used moved a few players from their normal positions but couldn't topple a strong Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners team despite taking a set off them in the weekend opener.
CapU lost three sets to one Friday, winning their first set since Jan. 13 at Columbia Bible College. Usual starting libero Owen Genge was moved to outside hitter while Cole Appleton took over the defensive specialist duties. Capilano was also without top total-offence man in Dario Pereira so setter Jonah Violini teed it up early and often for lefty and opposite hitter Marco Kost who registered 17 kills on 35 attempts.
Jakob Leinemann picked up seven kills from his middle blocker spot and also totaled three aces but the Blues were done Friday in by 24 attacking errors and 20 service errors.
CapU hung with the Mariners in Saturday's rematch and got to the 20-point mark in two of the three sets but VIU made only 10 errors on serve to the Blues' 28. The free points tipped the balance of the match in VIU's favour.
Genge picked up six kills on 16 swings, putting in a respectable showing given it was his second game playing outside. Brendan Zebrynski led the Blues with eight kills Saturday.
Capilano finishes the regular season with a road trip to the PACWEST-leading and CCAA top-ranked College of the Rockies Avalanche for games on Feb. 16 and 17.
