Island Rivalry cements BCCAA playoff berths for two Chargers teams
The 2nd Annual Island Rivalry in Nanaimo this past weekend was a barn-burner as 1200 fans packed the VIU gym to dominate the bleachers and cheer on their Mariner teams. Out of four Camosun teams, only the top ranked Chargers women’s basketball squad came out of the competition victorious.
While VIU may have won this year’s Rivalry, Camosun is rejoicing over the fact that it will be sending two of its teams to the BCCAA playoffs, beginning with the men’s volleyball Provincial Championships scheduled to start next week and moving on to the women’s basketball BCCAA Playoffs March 5-7.
The women’s basketball game between Camosun and VIU this past Friday was undoubtedly the feature event of the weekend. The two teams were neck and neck at the half with VIU leading by one – and by the end of the third quarter, the Chargers were down by nine. Showing the crowd why they are the conference’s number one team, the Camosun women surged ahead as the game came down to the wire to win 62-55. Camosun stands as the BCCAA league leader with a 15-1 record.
Despite playing their hearts out, the Chargers men’s basketball team lost to the Mariners, but only by a mere 10 points. The ninth ranked Chargers never gave up against the Mariners who are number one in the conference with a league record of 16-0. Only four points behind at the half, the Chargers fought hard but could not overcome the Mariners who eventually took the game 73-63.
Hitting the courts last Saturday, the Chargers volleyball teams lost their final matches of the season leaving the women with a seventh place finish and the men heading to the BCCAA Provincial Championships in fourth.
Regardless of the 3-1 loss to VIU , the Chargers women are happy about taking a set off of the third-ranked team and have their sights set on next season. “We were primed to take on the role of the spoiler and accomplished what we set out to do,” said head coach Alison Hitesman. “We have a several prospective U-17’s looking at our program and momentum is already beginning to gather for next season.”
The season for Camosun’s men’s volleyball team is far from over, with the team brushing off the dust from the weekend’s straight sets loss to VIU and preparing for their first provincial playoff under the guidance of head coach Charles Parkinson.
Entering into the championships in fourth spot with a league record of 11-5, the Chargers will take on the fifth ranked Douglas College Royals next Thursday night. The winner will meet with the 1st place Vancouver Island University Mariners the following evening.
Check out the BCCAA Provincial Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Championships hosted by Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford) February 26-28. Official website
The Chargers basketball teams are on the road this weekend to play their last league games of the season. On Friday, Camosun meets the 7th ranked Douglas College Royals women and men. The Chargers take on the Capilano University Blues the following day – their final game prior to playoffs. Although the Chargers men are out for this season, the women will take advantage of this last game to familiarize themselves with the surroundings as they will be returning to compete in the Provincial Championships which are being hosted by Capilano, March 5-7.
Contact
Graham Matthews
Camosun College Recreation and Athletics Coordinator
matthews@camosun.bc.ca
250–220–2505
Last updated: September 23, 2015 5:17 pm
