Above: Wayne Woyciehouski celebrates a point with his team. By Northfield Photography.
By Sports and Lifestyle Editor Cole Schisler
On Friday October 21, the VIU Mariners faced off against their PACWEST rivals, the Camosun Chargers for an exciting volleyball weekend.
The Mariners were given a tough start by the Chargers to begin the first set. Halfway through the first set, the Mariners led 13–10. After the halfway point, there was a shift in the Mariners’ play, and they broke out to a 20–14 lead over the Chargers. The Mariners took the set 25—19.
The second set was a much closer battle in which both teams struggled for the lead. Early in the second, the teams were tied 8 a piece, and would go on to be tied 16–16 later in the set. Mariners’ middle Wayne Woyciehouski broke the tie with a devastating block, and the Mariners were able to increase their lead 22—19 by the next timeout. The Mariners took the second set 25–20 over the Chargers.
The Mariners held their lead throughout the third set. After a series of successful serves, the Mariners had a large lead of 21–13 toward the end of the set. They won the set 25–17, taking the match in three straight sets.
On Saturday October 22, the Mariners traveled to Camosun College to take on the Chargers in a rivalry rematch.
The Mariners continued to cause problems for the Chargers, taking the first set with a decisive score of 25–17. The Chargers attempted to even up the score in the second set, however they were unable to take the set from the Mariners who won it 25–22. The story was much the same in the third set as the Mariners continued to control the court and ended the set 25–21 over the Chargers, winning the match in three straight sets.
Fifth year Mariners veteran Zach Grigg had a huge performance in Friday’s game with 20 kills, 7 digs, a service ace, and a block for the Mariners. On Saturday he tallied 10 kills, 10 digs, a service ace, and a block for a combined weekend total of 33 offensive points and 17 digs. His performance on the weekend earned him the title of PACWEST athlete of the week.
The Mariners are undefeated with a 4–0 record and are tied for first place in the PACWEST rankings with Douglas College. They will travel to the Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford on November 4 to take on the Bearcats.
Cole is a second-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in creative writing, minoring in political science. He has an interest in all things exciting, mundane, or otherwise. He hopes to one day become an author, actor, comedian, editor, and rapper, while moonlighting as an astronaut.
