Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info
They came out in force, they made lots of noise and proved as valuable as a seventh player on the floor for the Capilano Blues in a weekend sweep of the visiting Douglas College Royals.
The fans at Friday night’s weekend opener were a boisterous group of Blues supporters and, with Douglas being a local rival, there was plenty of cheering for the visiting side as well. It made for a lively atmosphere in the gymnasium at CapU’s Centre for Sport and Wellness and the Blues, who were looking for their first win of the season, it proved just the tonic they needed.
Capilano took the opening set, looking more in command on serve receive with first touch being a strength as opposed to a liability as it had been opening weekend at Camosun.
Douglas staged a rally late in the opening frame, prompting a Blues timeout where CapU coach John Swanson was able to steady his players and send them back to the floor to close out the set by a 25-22 count.
On her way to a team-high 10 kills, Abi Betker looked more certain on her swings Friday and she was given plenty of good opportunities from setter Mollie English, who also chipped in with a pair of aces. The Blues took the middle set 25-20 and closed it out in the third 25-17.
Nnya Mbaoma made consistent passes on first touch which benefited her own game to the tune of eight kills on the night. Sibby Bos was a presence at the net, getting in on three blocks and also had a pair of aces from the service line.
Saturday’s rematch saw the Blues again take the opening set before the Royals were able to claim a frame, their only one of the weekend. CapU came out on top of a tight third set, winning by two points and closed out convincingly, 25-15 to wrap up the sweep.
Mbaoma was dominant Saturday, racking up 17 kills while Maya Jovic baffled the Royals from service with four aces.
Capilano heads to Nanaimo for the coming weekend to face defending PACWEST champion Vancouver Island University, whom they last faced in the provincial finals in February.
