Last "Man" Standing

The final six men's teams are ready to make a run at Provincial GOLD. Here is a closer look at the teams that will open the Championship beginning on Thursday.

#1 Douglas Royals

It’s been a great turnaround for the Royals this season after finishing with a PACWEST bronze last year as the fifth seed. They got out to a very fast start winning their first six matches. Since the Christmas break they have lost just once and have the top seed for the first time since 2013 when they finished 21-3 and won a PACWEST silver medal. They have received the automatic bye into the PACWEST semis on Friday.

PACWEST Record: 20-4
Sets – 65-28
Home – 11-1, Road – 9-3

Players To Watch:

#7 Reid Marriott: He’s one half of the Royals dynamic duo compiling 319 kills as well as 37 service aces. Four times this season he collected at least 20 kills in a match.

#5 Max Haronga: What a recruit for the Royals in the offseason. He has teamed with Marriott to give the Royals a potent 1-2 punch. He recorded 304 kills in the regular season and 52 service aces

#14 Jared Collin: He is the quarterback of the Royals offence and tallied an incredible 725 assists this season. He has the ability to give the opposition different looks while at the same time keeping the offence balanced and fresh.

Longest Conference winning streak – 10 straight matches from January 4 – February 8

Last FIVE playoff Matches:
2018 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Match – Win – 3-1 Capilano Blues
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 3-0 VIU Mariners
2018 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 3-1 UFV Cascades
2017 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Match – Win – 3-1 UFV Cascades
2017 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 3-0 VIU Mariners

#2 Camosun Chargers

The four-time defending champion Chargers are trying to rewrite the PACWEST record books and become the first team ever to win five straight titles. This regular season they hit their stride at the end of October and won eight straight heading into the Christmas break. They have been tested this season and have played five set matches seven times winning just twice.

PACWEST Record: 18-6
Sets – 65-29
Home – 10-2, Road – 8-4

Players To Watch:

#12 Vitor Periera: What an addition for the Chargers in the offseason as the Brazilian joins fellow countryman Eduardo Bida to make a deadly combination. Periera recorded a Conference leading 338 kills, 28 of which were in one match.

#9 Eduardo Bida: He was the MVP in this very tournament last season as the Chargers won their fourth straight PACWEST title. He’s picked up right where he left off last year totaling 275 kills and 216 digs showing off his versatility on both sides of the net.

#15 Douglass Waterman: In his final PACWEST championship tournament, he tries to become one of the most decorated athletes in Conference history. He’ll be vying for his fifth PACWEST title after recording 94 kills and 35 blocks this year.

Longest Conference winning streak – 8 straight matches from October 26 – November 24

Last FIVE playoff Matches:
2018 – CCAA Bronze Medal Match – Loss – 3-2 Keyano Huskies
2018 – CCAA Bronze Semi-Final – Win – 3-2 VIU Mariners
2018 – CCAA Semi-Final – Loss – 3-2 Cegep Limoilou
2018 – CCAA Quarterfinal – Win – 3-0 Keyano Huskies
2018 – PACWEST Goal Medal Match – Win – 3-1 VIU Mariners

#3 Capilano Blues

After finishing with a second place finish and first round bye last year heading into the playoffs, the Blues dropped both matches and ended their season empty handed. For the returning players this has fuelled their fire this year, looking to become the first Blues team to win a playoff match since they won gold in 2013. Under the guidance of rookie head coach Dave Dooley the Blues have kept their high intensity and have locked down the third seed. They draw the CBC Bearcats in Thursday’s quarterfinal. They swept the Bearcats during the regular season.

PACWEST Record: 18-6
Sets – 59-35
Home – 10-2, Road – 8-4

Players To Watch:

#1 Markus Bratsberg: He really picked up his game in the second half and led the Blues offensively. He was also responsible on the defensive side with 133 digs. As a matter of fact in his final two matches, he had more digs than kills.

#2 Simon Friesen: He continues to be the best all-around player for the Blues. As the setter he has shown the opposition a very balanced attack and has compiled 786 assists along with 44 service aces and 42 kills.

#9 Jacob Hopkins: He could be the sleeper for the Blues flying under the radar. He’s a very smart player and finished with 142 kills despite missing five matches in the latter stages of the season.

Longest Conference winning streak – 7 straight matches from January 25 – February 14

Last FIVE playoff Matches:
2018 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Match – Loss – 3-1 Douglas Royals
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 3-1 Camosun Chargers
2017 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 3-0 Camosun Chargers
2016 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 3-1 VIU Mariners
2015 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 3-1 VIU Mariners

#4 VIU Mariners

The Mariners exploded out of the gate winning their first six matches and eight of their first nine. They then caught fire again towards the end of the season winning five of their last six. They finish as the fourth seed and will match up with the host COTR Avalanche on Thursday in a PACWEST quarterfinal.

PACWEST Record: 16-8
Sets – 56-34
Home – 9-3, Road – 7-5

Players To Watch:

#7 Braydon Brouwer: The fourth year veteran once again led the offence with 255 kills. He had 13 matches this season where he collected double-digit kill totals. He was also responsible on the defensive side with 133 digs.

#12 Doug Groenendijk: An excellent complement to Brouwer and finished with 166 kills along with 26 massive blocks at the net.

#18 Keal Prince: The setter for the Mariners that can also be an important weapon at the net. He tallied 630 assists along with 43 kills, 50 aces and 106 digs.

Longest Conference winning streak – 6 straight matches from October 12 - 27

Last FIVE playoff Matches:
2018 – CCAA Bronze Medal Semi-Final – Loss – 3-2 Camosun Chargers
2018 – CCAA Bronze Medal Quarterfinal – Win – 3-0 SAIT Trojans
2018 – CCAA Quarterfinal – Loss – 3-2 Fanshawe Falcons
2018 – PACWEST Gold Medal Match – Loss – 3-1 Camosun Chargers
2018 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 3-0 Douglas Royals

#5 COTR Avalanche

For the first time since 2013 the Avalanche host the PACWEST championship. That year they lost in the quarterfinal in three sets and were quickly eliminated. This year they have been inconsistent and limp into the playoffs losing six in a row and were swept five times. They haven’t played since February 10th and will match up with the VIU Mariners in Thursday’s quarterfinal. The winner will move onto the PACWEST semi-finals.

PACWEST Record: 8-16
Sets – 32-57
Home – 4-8, Road – 4-8

Players To Watch:

#3 Caleb Peters: The hometown rookie has been outstanding with 286 kills this season to lead the offence. He collected double-digit kill totals in 17 of their matches and also had 44 aces and 103 digs.

#12 Gustavo Bertoli: The rookie from Brazil turned into a great 1-2 punch with Peters. He tallied 183 kills and 105 digs this season. He’ll need to be sharp if the Avalanche have any chance of upsetting the Mariners.

#17 Breno Fabbri: The Avalanche need secondary scoring and a threat outside their duo of Peters and Bertoli. Fabbri could be the key and the sleeper on Thursday. He finished with 116 kills and does have the ability to surprise the opposing defences.

Longest Conference winning streak – 4 straight matches from January 17 - 20

Last FIVE playoff Matches:
2018 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 3-0 Camosun Chargers
2017 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 3-2 Douglas Royals
2016 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 3-0 Camosun Chargers
2016 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 3-1 UFV Cascades
2015 – PACWEST Bronze Medal – Win – 3-2 Camosun Chargers

#6 CBC Bearcats

The Bearcats make their first playoff appearance since 2015 as they snuck by the UFV Cascades to capture the final playoff spot. As a matter of fact the only team the Bearcats beat this season was the Cascades. As the sixth seed they will meet the Capilano Blues in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

PACWEST Record: 2-22
Sets – 20-67
Home – 2-10, Road – 0-12

Players To Watch:

#4 Jacob Molitwenik: He was the best threat this season with 187 kills and added 138 digs. He finished strong with 30 kills in the final two matches of the season.

#12 Stefan Halas: He’s the only other Bearcat to record over 100 kills and finished with 109. He made his presence felt at the net as well with 26 blocks.

#5 Graham Walkey: He’s the Bearcats setter and collected 541 assists this past regular season. He also added 31 kills and 41 service aces.

Last FIVE playoff Matches:
2015 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Match– Loss – 3-0 VIU Mariners
2015 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 3-1 Douglas Royals
2015 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 3-2 UFV Cascades
2014 – PACWEST Gold Medal Match– Loss – 3-1 Douglas Royals
2014 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 3-0 COTR Avalanche