Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info
Coming into Friday night's game, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners were undefeated, having dropped just one set through six matches.
That all changed at CapU's Centre for Sport and Wellness as the host Blues triumphed in a 3-1 decision with set scores of 18-25, 25-13, 25-15, 25-17.
In the first set, it seemed like VIU would continue their early season romp through the PACWEST as they took the opening frame handily and led by as much as 12 points at 18-6 at one juncture. Capilano's opening-set jitters showed up in the form of wonky passing and indecision leading to easy points for the Mariners.
The tone changed as the teams swapped sides of the net with Kennedy Hamilton-Jackson coming in at setter and Natalie Rourke at middle blocker. The fresh bodies provided immediate dividends as the rookie setter Hamilton-Jackson went on a long run from the service line and Rourke chalking up some quick kills in the middle.
Unfortunately, Hamilton-Jackson would have to leave the game with an apparent lower-body injury after she had executed a block at the net and came down awkwardly. Mollie English returned to setter and carried the momentum, using Rourke, along with kills from outside hitters Nnya Mbaoma and current PACWEST Athlete of the Week Abby Betker to close out the set.
Capilano tightened their grip on the proceedings in the third set, scrambling to keep rallies alive and getting good execution on swings from middle blockers Rourke and Sibby Bos. Mbaoma, who recorded 16 kills on the night, also was tough on defence and had an emphatic stuff to put the Blues up 17-12, and they closed the set shortly after.
VIU pushed back in the fourth set as the teams traded blows over the set's first 20 points. The Blues got on a roll with Mbaoma at the line, on her way to six aces for the night, and forced VIU into a timeout as they widened their lead. Alix Schewaga also saw time at setter in the fourth set and handed the reins back to English, who put the finishing touches on the win with two of her six aces to close out the match.
The win was the Blues' first over VIU since Feb. 9, 2017.
The teams return to CapU's gym for a Saturday afternoon contest starting at 1 p.m.
