Mariners Stay Champs

Story courtesy of Mo Hussain

The VIU Mariners are now back to back PACWEST provincial champions as they defeat the Camosun Chargers 3-1 on Saturday evening.

The Mariners player of the match was awarded to Karoline Tormena who finished with 22 kills and seven digs. Outisde hitter Danielle Groenendijk finished with 12 kills and 12 digs.

The Mariners got off to a strong start as a 10-2 lead in the first set helped them take it 25-9.

The second set saw the Chargers pick up the pace as both teams traded points until the game was tied at 15. It was at that point where the Mariners once again took over as a 10-2 run secured them the second set 25-17.

The Chargers then turned things around in the third set after both teams were tied at 18, a 7-2 run got them the third set 25-20 .

Ultimately, the Mariners secured their 18th PACWEST provincial championship in the fourth, as a nine-point lead late in the game was too big of a gap for the Chargers to close.

The Chargers player of the match was awarded to Hannah May after racking up 12 kills and nine digs. Outiside hitter Rayelle Zacharuk racked in 13 kills and eight digs, while Mika Yamada finished with 13 digs.

The Mariners have now won six of the last nine PACWEST provincial championships, winning last year’s gold medal match against the Douglas College Royals 3-0.

Despite today marking the end of the PACWEST season, the Mariners and Chargers now have to prepare for this years CCAA national tournament taking place in less than two weeks in Quebec.

The Mariners walk into the tournament as the defending national champions looking to secure their sixth CCAA championship, while the Chargers look forward to winning their first CCAA gold medal after winning a silver medal in 2017 and a bronze in 2015.

Players of the Match:

VIU - Karoline Tormena

Camosun - Hannah May

Following the match the tournament All-Stars and MVP were named and they are:

All-Stars:

Meghan Koven – Capilano Blues
Amanda Matsui – UFV Cascades
Mika Yamada – Camosun Chargers
Sydney Svicenec – Camosun Chargers
Amanda Dobbyn – VIU Mariners
Danielle Groenendijk – VIU Mariners

MVP – Karoline Tormena – VIU Mariners