Vancouver Island University’s volleyball teams are off to a perfect start so far this season and they’re only getting better.
The VIU Mariners women’s and men’s squads swept their matches on the road at Camosun College this past weekend in Victoria.
The women’s M’s defeated the Chargers in straight sets on Friday, then took four games to win Saturday’s match. Scores were 25-15, 25-23, 25-20 and 26-24, 25-20, 16-25, 25-18.
The men, meanwhile, needed five hard-fought games to win Friday, but won in straight games Saturday. Scores were 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13 and then 25-22, 25-15, 25-23.
Through the early stages of the season, the Mariners have been led offensively by transfer player Leanna Gildersleeve, who leads the Pacific Western Athletic Association in kills with 3.88 per game. Veteran Jacqueline Doleman is third in PacWest in blocks with 0.78 per game and rookie Alyssa Wolf is third in aces with 1.10 per game.
The men are getting offence from Milo Warren, who has marked his return to college volleyball with 3.55 kills per game so far, fifth best in PacWest. Joe Holder is second in the conference in digs with 3.29 and Nigel Proch is the league leader in aces with 0.80 per game.
GAME ON … The Mariners host the Douglas Royals this Friday (Oct. 28) and Saturday at the VIU gym. The women play at 6 p.m. Friday followed by the men at 7:45 p.m. Saturday’s rematches are slated for 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., respectively. VIU athletics is promising free admission for anyone who attends this weekend's matches in costume.