CapU Blues make history with new program record

The Capilano University (CapU) Blues women's volleyball team made history Saturday evening as they broke the program record for most consecutive wins to start a season, improving to 12-0 as they completed their weekend sweep against the visiting Douglas College Royals. The previous record of 11–0 was set by the 2004–05 team led by Hall of Fame coach Wayne Desjardins.

After Friday night’s one-sided 3–0 sweep by the Blues, the Royals flipped the script, pushing the game to a five-set showdown at the Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Outside hitter Nnya Mbaoma opened the evening in the first set with a kill from the left side to get the Blues on the scoreboard. Middle blockers Sibby Bos and Anna Liniewski also quickly added their own contributions with intense kills that saw them rival the Royals' push.

Long rallies and narrow point margins defined the opening set, with neither side being able to create more than a two-point separation. That trend continued throughout the evening, as both teams traded momentum and refused to back down. Though the initial set favoured Douglas with a final score of 25-22, this did not rattle CapU's focus. 

Entering into the second set, continued strong plays from Bos, Mbaoma, and outside hitter Abby Betker helped the Blues build an impressive early lead. With the Royals trailing at 9-5, they called a timeout to reset. This did little to slow CapU's play. Betker immediately responded with an ace, while middle blocker Natalie Rourke added some impressive solo blocks at the net.

Setter Mollie English also had a crafty left side kill that sent further electricity to the Blues bench as well as the rest of the gym. Though the Royals began to inch their way back, climbing up to 19 with the Blues staying at 24, CapU left little room for a comeback, closing out the set 25–19 to tie the match at 1–1.

Back-to-back aces by Bos highlighted the third set, along with Betker's own consecutive blocks that saw the Royals needing a timeout. The set was filled with long rallies that showcased the Blues' ability to keep their composure as they snagged the set with the same score as in the second, 25-19.

Libero Monica Hoffman added some impressive digs in the fourth that saw a result in further kills by Mbaoma, Bos and Liniewski. Betker added an ace to the continuation of repeated point exchanges between the two teams. A combined block from English and Rourke allowed the Blues to tie the score, but ultimately Douglas was able to dig deep, ending the set at 25-20 and pushing the Blues to a fifth set.

Though starting the final set with the Royals going 4-0, kills from Betker, as well as blocks from English and Liniewski, helped close the point margin. Libero Kristen Young defended CapU's side of the net impressively, allowing for Mbaoma and Bos to continue in their rate of electrifying kills. An ace from Mbaoma forced the Royals to take a timeout, but this didn't shake the Blues' vision as they ended the match with a final score of 15-10.

One constant throughout the match was the strong, supportive dynamic between the Blues players and coaching staff. Head coach Sue Soolsma and assistant coach Austyn Soolsma were seen continually providing positive feedback to all of their players at every stage, a key element that has remained vital to CapU's continued success.

Having completed the weekend sweep, the Blues now hit the road, travelling to Nanaimo, where they will meet the Vancouver Island University Mariners Jan. 16 and 17. The next home games take place on Feb 13. at 6 p.m. and Feb 14. at 4 p.m. at CapU's Centre for Sport and Wellness.