Chris Raeside
Sport Information Event Management, Media & Sport Development Officer
The Capilano University Blues delivered a commanding performance on home court Saturday night, sweeping the Columbia Bible College Bearcats 3-0 (29-27, 25-19, 25-23) in a well-rounded victory. With dominant offensive play and clutch defensive moments, the Blues showcased their strength and solidified their position in the standings.
The opening set saw Capilano burst out to a dominant 16-8 lead, led by the powerful attacks of fourth-year outside hitter Nnya Mbaoma and third-year Abby Betker. However, the Bearcats clawed their way back, forcing extra points in a tense back-and-forth battle. Tied at 27-27, the Blues’ defensive pressure forced a crucial CBC serving error, allowing them to seal the set and establish early momentum.
The second frame followed a similar pattern, with Capilano building an early lead before CBC responded to tie the set at 11-11. Unshaken, the Blues answered with a dominant 6-0 run, pushing ahead 17-11. From there, they controlled the pace, methodically closing out the set at 25-19.
In the final set, CBC showed resilience, keeping the contest close throughout. The Blues fell behind by a few points midway through the set but fought back and made a late push to take it at the end. Despite the Bearcats’ best efforts, the Blues never relinquished control. A late push from Capilano ensured they closed out the match with a 25-23 victory, securing the sweep in front of an energized home crowd.
The Blues’ offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Mbaoma, who delivered a team-high 15 kills and added an ace. Betker contributed 12 kills, a block, and an ace, while Annika Kuznik added nine kills, one block, and an ace of her own. The trio’s balanced attack proved too much for CBC’s defense to handle.
With this victory, Capilano now sits in 2nd place in the PACWEST with two games remaining in the regular season. The Blues set their sights on another crucial matchup next weekend. They will take on the Vancouver Island University Mariners on Friday, February 14th, at 6 p.m., aiming to keep their momentum rolling as they push toward the postseason
Leading the way in tonight's win:
— Capilano University Blues (@CapilanoBlues) February 9, 2025
Mbaoma - 15 K, 1 ACE
Betker - 12 K, 1 BLK, 1 ACE
Kuznik - 9 K, 1 BLK, 1 ACE#GoBlues #BleedBlue #CapU pic.twitter.com/3oMJP3DjvC
