A quartet of high-powered fifth-year players with the Capilano University women’s volleyball team ended their final season in a familiar spot: third place.
The third-seeded Blues bashed their way into the PacWest semifinals at Vancouver Island University last weekend but their bid for gold was ended in a heartbreaking five-set loss against second-ranked Douglas College. Capilano held a 12-9 lead in the fifth set but couldn’t finish off the Royals, eventually losing by a score of 25-18, 18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 16-14.
The Blues bounced back to score a resounding 25-18, 25-18, 25-18 win over College of the Rockies in the consolation final to earn PacWest bronze for the third consecutive season.
“The girls said they’re getting mixed up, they keep on thinking bronze is gold,” said head coach Cal Wohlford with a chuckle. “Any time you’ve got your goals set a little higher and you don’t get that opportunity it’s a little tough for sure. But that’s the nature of sports – not everyone can go out there and win a gold medal.”
The bronze medal match brought a close to a distinct era for the Blues, as it marked the final contest for fifth-year players Sarah Hughes, who was recently named a CCAA All-Canadian, Kolby Richter, Kira Sutcliffe and Kelsi Boroevich. The seniors stepped up when it came time to claim their final provincial medal, said Wohlford.
“Our fifth-year players are not going to end off playing terrible their last game of the year,” he said. “It’s been outstanding having them as part of my program. It’s tough, it’s like losing part of your family. They’ve been there right from the beginning when I started (at Capilano). They helped build the program, they helped with recruiting, they helped with setting our standards.”
Two other key contributors – second-year Argyle grad Keeley Bell and third-year middle Danae Shephard – are likely headed up to the university level next season, so the last month has felt like a farewell tour for the Blues, said Wohlford, particularly for the four players about to end their post-secondary careers.
“You have four that are emotional about their last game, emotional about their last road trip, last time on the ferry – every little thing – everybody gets involved about it, everybody gets emotional about it,” said Wohlford. “I was sad that we didn’t make it to nationals. … I wanted them to play a couple more times together. I really enjoy watching them play together.”
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The Blues men also took a swing at the PacWest championships, losing their opening match 25-13, 25-16, 29-27 against Camosun College. The third-ranked Chargers went on to win the provincial title with a 3-1 upset over the host VIU Mariners.
