By Bonita Joe, Camosun College Athletics
Saturday – February 11, 2012 in Victoria – Despite two very hard fought battles, the hosting Camosun College Chargers started their two game weekend series against the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades with a pair of losses.
The Chargers women came out blasting in front of a packed home crowd who were on their feet cheering on the home team tonight at the PISE gym. Camosun jumped to an early 11-4 lead in the first set before UFV called a time out to change the momentum which did not deter the Chargers who took the set 25-21. The second set could not have been a closer contest with the two teams going head to head with one spectacular rally after another. Camosun once again prevailed and n elated home crowd cheered the Chargers on to a 28-26 win. UFV made a strong comeback in the third winning the set 25-13. In the fourth set, Camosun gave up a great opportunity to win the match by losing their 9-1 lead and succumbing to the Cascades 21-25. With the exception of one tie at 11 all, UFV maintained the lead for the majority of the fifth winning 15-13 and captured the match. Despite the loss, Camosun put forth an impressive performance taking the nation’s No. 4 ranked team to five sets.
Women’s Final Score
UFV 3 – 2 Camosun
(22-25, 26-28, 25-13, 25-21, 15-13)
This week’s PACWEST Athlete of the Week Hilary Graham (second-year rightside from Courtenay) led the Chargers with 16 kills, 1 ace, 2 stuff blocks and 13 digs. Second-year leftside Taylor Fedosoff (Nanaimo) also had an outstanding performance with 16 kills and 12 digs.
The Chargers men made a strong start taking the first set 25-20. A fired-up UFV squad came out swinging in the second to even the score at one game apiece with a 25-18 win. Camosun bounced back in the third but was not able to progress from a 16-10 lead and allowed the Cascades to come back to take the set 25-23. The Chargers repeated the pattern in the fourth and were up 9-5 before they eventually fell to their opponents 25-23.
Men’s Final Score
UFV 3 – 1 Camosun
(20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22)
Stats for men not available at this time.
The Chargers volleyball teams play their final home games of the 2011-12 season tomorrow afternoon at PISE. Camosun meets up with the Cascades one more time at 1pm (Women) and 2:45pm (Men).
