Brent Mutis
CapU sports info

Embarking on the second half of the season on the road at Columbia Bible College (CBC), the Capilano Blues gave themselves a chance to add to their win column but couldn't close the bargain either night.

CapU was up two sets to none Friday before CBC rallied to claim the comeback win. The Blues were on match point, up 14-12 in the fifth set but the Bearcats went to to take five of the next eight points to wrap it up 17-15.

Saturday's contest again saw the Blues get out in front with a first-set win but the momentum didn't carry. CBC won the next three sets and sent the Blues packing with their record now 6-6 and three of the next four weekends on the road. CBC improved to 5-7 and are now just one win behind Capilano in the PACWEST standings.

Friday's match was highlighted on the Blues side of the ledger by a career-best 19 kills from outside hitter Vanesa Gatto, who also served up three aces. CapU's passing was also excellent with just six receiving errors assessed on the night. The execution on first touch allowed Jayden Easingwood to hit the 40-assist mark for the second time this season, many of them set for Nnya Mbaoma who notched 17 kills, her second-highest total of the season. Annika Kuznik also reached double digits in kills with 11.

Capilano couldn't get the big kill when it counted most however as they went to extra points with CBC in both the fourth and fifth sets Friday but couldn't close it out. One soft spot for CapU was production from the middle blockers on offence as Sibby Bos and Natalie Rourke combined for just five kills Friday, perhaps allowing the CBC defence to focus elsewhere as the match wore on. 

The Blues started strong Saturday, hitting .387 on 15 kills on the way to a 25-23 opening-set win, but dwindled from there hitting a progressively worse percentage in each of the next three sets as the Bearcats took the match 3-1. CBC got a combined 49 kills from Hannah Grace Magnuson (18), Kiana Wiebe (16) and Nicole Reid (15) who collectively hit .391 on the night.

Capilano has a bye weekend ahead and travel to Victoria to face the No. 7-ranked Camosun College Chargers Jan. 26 and 27.