Brent Mutis, CapU Sport Info & Compliance Officer
The Capilano Blues were sharper in the second game of their PACWEST season-opening doubleheader against the visiting Douglas College Royals Saturday night but were handed the same result, a three-sets-to-one loss to the defending conference champions.
Despite being first to 10 and to 20 points in the opening set Saturday, CapU allowed the Royals to chip away and eventually take the opener in extra points, 27-25. The Blues rebounded for a 25-20 win in the second set getting five kills from Nnya Mbaoma who would go on to record 10 for the night.
The third set featured a big presence from middle blocker Anna Liniewski as she picked up two huge blocks and a pair of kills but the Royals took it 25-22. Royals outside hitter Payton Henderson had six aces on the night and used her serve effectively in putting her side up a set.
Douglas took the final set of the night going away in a 25-16 score to claim their second win to start the season.
A bright spot for the Blues both nights was second-year outside hitter Grace Brisebois (interview audio below) who reached double digits in kills Friday and Saturday, including a career-high 14 in the season opener. The lefthander has made a nice adjustment from her rookie season as a middle blocker and also showed well from the service line with multiple aces both nights.
In Friday's season opener against Douglas, Brisebois' contribution was not enough to match a Royals side that served well and got their hands on several Blues attacks at the net on their way to a three-sets-to-one victory.
CapU started strong with an energetic home crowd behind them and took the first set 25-22 but that turned out to be the high point of the evening. The Royals were more consistent from the service line and benefitted from a number of Blues serving errors. They also made an effort to keep serves away from Blues all-star and reigning PACWEST Top Libero Vanesa Gatto whose reputation across the league for good control on first touch has other teams adjusting strategy.
Making her Blues debut, setter Lauren Roworth was impressive on Friday not only distributing the ball to the CapU hitters but also on serve as she collected four aces to lead the team.
Next up for the Blues is a trip to Vancouver Island University for games Oct. 28 and 29. Start times are 5 p.m. Friday and Noon on Saturday.
