Quarterfinal Preview: Mariners vs. Blues

The men’s Provincial bracket begins on Thursday at 3:00pm when the third seeded VIU Mariners (14-10) face the sixth seeded Capilano Blues (5-19).

This will be the fifth playoff meeting between the Blues and Mariners since 2002.  It’s also the second consecutive season they meet in the quarterfinals.  Last year the Mariners prevailed in five sets, but all-time the Blues have won three of the four meetings, including the 2013 PACWEST Gold Medal match.

During the regular season the Mariners won three of the four meetings in Weeks 4 and 8.  Their offence in the seasonal series was led by Zach Grigg with 49 kills and 25 digs.  Jesse Bazergui was also solid collecting 35 kills and 28 digs.

The Blues played the Mariners tough in Week 4, falling in five sets, then winning in four.  It was a different story however in Week 8 as the Mariners breezed through both matches, dropping just one set.

The Blues limp into the Provincial championship having won just one match since November 7th.  Their offence will need to win a set early to build confidence against the Mariners who have won two of their last three matches.   

The main source of Blues offence comes from Brendan Cairns who led the PACWEST with 360 kills and 399 total offensive points which included 24 aces. If the Mariners’ blockers can slow Cairns and his talents, it could be a very quick match.  Wayne Woyswhouaki averaged a block every set, finishing with 42 stuffs in 40 sets, while Bazergui had 42 in 80 sets.

On paper this match shouldn’t even be close, but anything can happen in a “winner take all” match during a Provincial Championship.  This quarterfinal is scheduled for 3:00pm on Thursday from the campus of Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.