Chris Raeside
Sport Information Event Management, Media & Sport Development Officer
Estimated read time: 2 minutes
Blues Battle Hard in Nanaimo, Set Sights on Playoff Seeding
The Capilano University Blues men’s volleyball team faced a grueling road test this past weekend, dropping a pair of hard-fought matches to the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners in Nanaimo. Despite the scores, the weekend was defined by razor-thin margins and a resilient Blues squad that refused to back down against one of their toughest conference rivals.
Friday: Tiegen Shines in Four-Set Marathon
Friday night’s opener was a showcase of PACWEST intensity. While the Mariners ultimately secured a 3-1 victory (25-22, 25-27, 25-22, 25-22), the Blues were step-for-step with VIU in every frame. Capilano showed incredible poise in the second set, battling through extra points to take a 27-25 win and even the match.
The Blues' offense was powered by a massive performance from Luke Tiegen, who hammered down a match-high 18 kills to go along with 11 digs. At the net, the Blues were dominant, out-blocking the Mariners 7-4. Quentin Middleton was a wall in the middle with 7 blocks, while Reese Nowotny was incredibly efficient, hitting .500 with 9 kills and 4 blocks. Setting duties were shared evenly by the duo of Liam Martin (19 assists) and Brayden Labossiere (18 assists).
Saturday: Blues Show Resilience After Slow Start
Saturday’s rematch began with the Blues struggling to find their rhythm, dropping a difficult first set 25-12. However, showing the character that has defined their season, Capilano regrouped and fought back. After a 25-19 loss in the second, the Blues pushed the Mariners to the limit in a classic third set that required extra points before VIU finally edged it out 29-27.
Outside hitter Kyle Hinchey provided a spark for the Blues, contributing 4 kills and 3 blocks. Xavier Masztak led the attack with 8 kills, while Liam Martin was a workhorse in the backcourt, racking up 26 assists and 12 digs. The middle connection remained strong as Nowotny added another 5 kills and 3 blocks to his weekend totals.
The Race for Seeding
The weekend results mean the Blues and Mariners split their season series 2-2, with the home court proving to be the deciding factor in all four matches. The PACWEST standings have now reached a fever pitch; Capilano, VIU, and the Camosun College Chargers are all locked in a three-way tie for second place with 7-7 records.
With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Blues are focused on shifting into another gear. The team knows that every point matters as they look to improve their consistency and secure favorable seeding for the postseason.
Up Next: Trip to Abbotsford
The Blues will look to bounce back and climb the standings this coming weekend as they travel to Abbotsford for a double-header against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats. Games are scheduled for Friday, January 23rd and Saturday, January 24th. Stay tuned as the Blues begin their final push toward the playoffs.
