VICTORIA, B.C. – The Camosun Chargers volleyball teams played their hearts out this past weekend in Abbotsford at the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) championships. The women won bronze and the men brought home gold and will advance to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship.

File Photo – Charger’s Hannah May;s balanced attack was instrumental in their success, recording 12 kills versus the Capilano Blues

The Chargers women’s team defeated the Capilano Blues in an exciting four-set match (25-15, 22-25, 25-17, and 25-23). The team used a balanced attack led by Hannah May (Belmont Secondary/Victoria, BC) and her 12 kills, while Chantelle Dobie (Salmon Arm Secondary/Salmon Arm, BC) played middle with 10 kills and several big blocks. Rookie Rachel Leduc (College Jean-Eudes/Montreal, QB) was a major factor during the tournament, finishing with eight kills.

File Photo – Chantelle Dobie was one of many Chargers recognized for their play at the PacWest Championships

Dobie was named Chargers Player of the Match and Mika Yamada (Rifu High School/Sendai, Japan) was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

File Photo – Mika Yamada of the Camosun Chargers

The men’s volleyball team is heading back to the national championship after a huge come from behind, fifth set victory over the nationally number one ranked Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners to win PACWEST gold (25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 15-25, 13-15).

Down two sets to the top team in the country, the Chargers battled back to win three straight sets and capture the gold medal. Rookie Jacob Ringma (Centennial Christian/Terrace, BC) came into the game for the third set which seemed to make the difference for the Chargers as he recorded several key kills and gave the squad another offensive option behind Vitor Pereira (Izabela Hendrix/Belo Horizonte, Brazil)and Eduardo Bida (Colegio Gabarito/Uberlandia, Brazil). Ringma picked up Player of the Match with 10 kills in three sets, while Pereira and Bida combined for 32 kills.

Ringma and Bida were named to the Tournament All-Star Team and Pereira was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP).

File photo – Charger’s Vitor Pereira was named tournament MVP at the PacWest Championships

“We have been confident about the success the volleyball teams would have this season and during playoffs,” said Vice President, Student Experience, Heather Cummings. “For the men’s volleyball team to bring home the PACWEST trophy as head coach, Charles Parkinson’s last season, is beyond amazing. We are so proud of what both teams accomplished this season and wish the best of luck to the men’s team at nationals. Go Chargers!”

The men’s volleyball team will head to Cégep Limoilou in Quebec City, QB at the end of March to face off against the top teams in the country at the CCAA National Championships, which run March 24-27, 2022. The top eight teams from across Canada will have the opportunity to compete for the country’s highest honours. Full tournament schedule can be found on the CCAA Championship website.