PACWEST Spike Night: Chargers @ Bearcats

Photo courtesy of the Camosun Chargers
Photo courtesy of the Camosun Chargers

Friday night the Camosun Chargers (8-10) will travel to Abbotsford to face the CBC Bearcats (4-16) in the PACWEST Spike Night with plenty on the line.

The Chargers are coming off a pair of sweeps of the COTR Avalanche last weekend on their home floor. They’ve been solid at home this season, but on the road is a bit of a different story with a 2-6 record including getting swept on their last trip at Douglas.

The last time the Chargers and Bearcats met was at Camosun at the end of November in which the Chargers won in four and three sets respectively. Jerome Cross was the main threat with 28 kills while Rian Plante combined for 22 kills and 17 digs.

The Bearcats on the other hand were led by Jacob Molitwenik who tallied 19 kills and 14 digs.

With the calendar now changed to February time is not on the Bearcats side with just four matches remaining in their season, two of which against the Chargers this weekend. The Bearcats are currently tied with the Avalanche for the final playoff spot, however they do hold the tie breaker if the two teams finished with identical records.

Ben Smith has led the Bearcats offence this season with 121 kills and 153 total offensive points. He has also been good from the service line with 25 aces in 45 sets played. Curtis Stelzer and Molitwenik will need to step up and take pressure off Smith this weekend and give their offence a balanced attack.

With just four matches remaining the Bearcats are trying to lockdown a playoff spot for the first time since 2015. A win this weekend against a solid Chargers team would get them a bit closer to that goal.

Friday night these two teams will meet at 8:00pm in the PACWEST Spike Night, then again on Saturday at 3:00pm.