Chargers sink Mariners in final pre-season match up
October 30, 2009
The Camosun Chargers men's volleyball team emerged victorious with a 3 sets to 1 win over the VIU Mariners last Wednesday in the second and final match up of the Island Challenge held at Oak Bay Senior Secondary School.
Match one of the Island Challenge did not go the Chargers’ way as the Mariners pulled out a 3-2 win (25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 20-25, 15-9), however, after five weeks of heavy training, the improvement in the Chargers was obvious from the outset.
“Our offense was smooth and the serving was both strategic and very tough,” remarked Chargers head coach Charles Parkinson. “Camosun carried a five-point lead for most of the set before closing the door 25-21. In the second set, we changed our line-up substantially, allowing many of the younger players to see action against the highly ranked Mariners. Their inexperience showed and VIU fought back with a vengeance, winning the set convincingly, 25-12.”
Returning the starters in the third set, the Chargers once again showed great power and execution and controlled the set from the first whistle in a 25-19 victory. The fourth set saw a couple of changes made to the line-up and the Chargers athletes worked hard to establish a rhythm after falling behind early. On the strength of some tough serving and effective transition they tied the score at 19 and then went back and forth for the next 6 points. Both teams took the lead and then gave it up, until Camosun finally closed the door with the deciding 25-23 win.
Throughout the past several weeks, Coach Parkinson has put the focus on first contact play - serving and passing - and on error reduction, a strategy that is scoring big with the squad.
“Ryan Sookachoff has emerged as a solid performer on the wing and a great compliment to Brent Hall on the other side,” commented Coach Parkinson. “Alex Saddlemyer served rockets, a skill he is rapidly becoming known for, and Richard Westergaard had a break out night in the middle, punishing the Mariners on a number of one on one situations. Playing for an ailing Denis Boyd, Martin Adey was solid in the other middle position and highlighted Camosun's depth, while Sam Hillier did an effective job of delivering the ball in perfect position for the hitters. Josh Coutts and AJ McFarland shared the Libero duties and both had outstanding nights, digging seemingly impossible balls to create transition opportunities, while international student Henrik Herrebrøden acquitted himself admirably in the serving and attacking categories.”
With a week of training to go, the Chargers are fine tuning their offense and making slight adjustments in preparation for their first league match of the season. The defending BCCAA Champions and CCAA Bronze Medalists hit the court at 7:45pm on Friday, October 30th at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (4371 Interurban Road) against the UBC-Okanagan Heat.
The Chargers women will kick things off at 6pm, taking on the UBC-O women who won both the BCCAA Championship and the CCAA Championship last season. “This weekend’s matches will be challenging,” said Camosun head coach Alison Hitesman. “But this is likely one of the best squads Camosun has had in years and we are improving competitively every time we play.”
Unhinged by past stats, Coach Hitesman is looking forward to giving UBC-O a run for their money. She added, “We are becoming a strong defensive team that corrects with a variable offense. A high intensity defense could push UBC-O to a point where we can start winning games.”
Catch the Chargers volleyball teams as they open the 2009-2010 BCCAA season at PISE this weekend.
- Friday, October 30 Women at 6pm; Men at 7:45pm
- Saturday, October 31 Women at 1pm; Men at 2:45pm
Contact
Bonita Joe
Camosun College Chargers Athletics
250–220–2506
joeb@camosun.bc.ca