Chargers Back In Gold Match
For the fourth straight season the Chargers will play for PACWEST gold
Story by Dan Kinvig - UFV Cascades athletics
The Camosun Chargers men’s volleyball team already knew they were going to the CCAA national championships, by virtue of the fact they’re hosting the tournament March 7-10.
As of Friday afternoon, they also know they’ll be going with at least a PACWEST silver medal on their resumé.
The No. 3-seeded Chargers upset the No. 2 Capilano Blues in the conference semifinals at UFV’s Envision Financial Athletic Centre, prevailing in four sets (25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23) to punch their ticket to the PACWEST title match (Saturday, 8 p.m., EFAC). They’ll face the winner of Friday’s late semifinal pitting the Douglas Royals against the VIU Mariners.
The Blues will play for bronze against the VIU-Douglas loser (Saturday, 3 p.m., EFAC).
The Chargers rode a monster performance from Jerome Cross to victory – the sophomore outside hitter racked up an eye-popping 27 kills to go with nine digs, two blocks and an ace, and was named his team’s player of the match. Matt Bowers (10 kills, nine digs, one ace, one block) and Eduardo Bida (seven kills, eight digs) were also key contributors for the winners.
Capilano player of the match Sameh Khodr tied for team-high honours with 13 kills. Teammate Zarley Zalusky matched that total, and added three blocks. PACWEST player of the year Simon Friesen registered 37 set assists, and Jacob Hopkins notched three blocks.