Chargers volleyball setting up for another banner season

The women serve it up at 6pm, while the men hit the court at 8pm. Both games are at the Pacific Institute for Sport Education (PISE).

In between the games, the double 2022-23 Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) champions and gold and silver Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) banners will be revealed, along with the ring presentation for the men’s national championship team.

The Chargers men’s volleyball team won their second consecutive PACWEST gold, when they swept the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners in a re-match of the previous seasons’ championship. The team also went 19-1 in the regular season before advancing to playoffs and the national championship, where they defended their title.

The women’s volleyball team battled hard at the PACWEST championship last season to claim gold and advance to the national championship. The team won provincial silver in 2020, bronze in 2022, and gold in 2023.

Last season was the first double-team championship win in the PACWEST since 2019.

On the women’s side, first-year liberos Mya Robinson (Vernon Secondary/Coldstream, B.C.) and Sloan Thompson (Bishop James Mahoney High/Saskatoon, SK) will bring excitement and make big contributions to the two-libero rule this season.

Outside Erica Bolink (Pacific Christian Secondary/Victoria, B.C.) will continue to be a big part of the offence, in addition to making big plays from behind the service line.

Returning players middle Tahlia Cook (Stelly’s Secondary/Victoria, B.C.), Karynn Hampe (Duchess Park Secondary/Prince George, B.C.), Daelyn Jeffers (North Peace Secondary/Fort St. John, B.C.), Paige Roslinsky (Hunting Hills High/Red Deer, AB), setter Avery Hansen (Lindsay Thurber High/Red Deer, AB), middle Gracie May (Belmont Secondary/Victoria, B.C.) and setter Taylee Pomponio (Belmont Secondary/Victoria, B.C.) will also contribute heavily to the Chargers success.

“Everyone on our team is a truly quality individual and it shows in the camaraderie that has quickly formed and the fast pace of development that is taking place every day in training,” said women’s head coach, Brent Hall.

The men’s squad, leading the offence is fifth year setter Ben Linsley (Holy Cross High School/Saskatoon, SK) and fourth year libero Kris La Guardia (Vancouver College/Vancouver, B.C.) commanding the backrow.

“We will rely on their experience and leadership throughout this season,” said men’s volleyball head coach, Kelvin Ma.

Most notable is the number of new players the Chargers have added to the roster after losing five of their six starters last season. First years Desmond Arthurs (St. Andrew’s Regional High /Victoria, B.C.), Zach Carter (Okanagan Mission Secondary/Kelowna, B.C.), Jordan Fulljames (College Heights Secondary/Prince George, B.C.), Noah Kodlyk (Princess Margaret Secondary/Penticton, B.C.), Nicolas Kozji (Lisgar C.I./Ottawa, ON), and Kyle Stodola (Ecole Salish Secondary/Surrey, B.C.) are all looking to make an impact this season

Returning this season in new key roles are leftside Tristan Cumming (Reynolds Secondary/Victoria, B.C.), leftside Edvard Adolfsen (Toppvolley Norway/Sandnes, Norway), and rightside Liam Conlin (Master’s Academy and College/Calgary, AB).

The Camosun Chargers are hosting the 2024 Men’s Volleyball CCAA National Championship, March 6-10, 2024 which will feature the top eight teams from across the country. The Chargers are back-to-back national champions, winning in 2022 and 2023.

“As we gear up to host Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Nationals, we will work hard to ensure a worthy performance in our own gym,” added Ma.

All Camosun Chargers home games can be live streamed on the Chargers YouTube channel.

The full PACWEST schedule can be found on their website at www.pacwestbc.ca; all games are live streamed at sportscanada.tv.

The Camosun Chargers Athletics Program currently fields teams in basketball and volleyball. Since joining the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) and PACWEST conferences in 1994, the Chargers have competed in over 100 national and provincial championships with over 50 medal winning finishes.