Brent Mutis, CapU Sport Info & Compliance Officer
A trip across the Strait of Georgia and into the home of the CCAA’s No. 1-ranked team is a tall task but the Capilano Blues took on the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners in a doubleheader last weekend and came away with enough positives to be optimistic about the rest of the season.
The Blues, ranked 15th in Canada, showed some character by taking the opening set Friday night by a 25-19 count, proving to themselves they can hang with the best in the country. But they may have also prodded the Mariners to their top form as the home side took the next three sets to win the weekend opener three sets to one.
Returning to her home town of Nanaimo, Blues second-year outside hitter Nnya Mbaoma had a nice night on Friday with a team-high 12 kills to go along with three aces and a block.
Sibby Bos had a productive night in the middle blocker spot for CapU as she recorded a career-high 10 kills and three aces.
Overall, the Blues almost matched VIU in kills on the night with 39 to the Mariners’ 41. Service errors continued to be a sore spot as Capilano had 22, six more than VIU.
VIU remained sharp coming back for Saturday’s game and took it in straight sets.
Bos was again a dangerous weapon for Capilano Saturday, matching her kill total from the night before. Lauren Roworth shared the ball well from her setter spot, allowing Annika Kuznik to match a career best with six kills while Ashley Lesage and Maya Jovic each set new personal bests with five kills apiece.
On the VIU side, Jane Lytvynenko recorded 16 kills Saturday while Kayla Passmore and Cassidy Kitchen were credited with three blocks each to help the Mariners improve to 4-0.
Next up for the Blues, after a bye week, is another Vancouver Island road trip Nov. 11 and 12 when CapU will travel to Victoria to face the Camosun College Chargers. Game times are 6 p.m. on the Friday and 1 p.m. on the Saturday.
