Golden Royals
For the first time since 1995 the Douglas Royals are PACWEST champs
Story courtesy of Dan Kinvig
For the first time in 23 years, the Douglas Royals are the champions of PACWEST women’s volleyball.
The Royals secured their first conference title since 1995 in highly impressive fashion, defeating the Vancouver Island University Mariners in three straight sets (25-20, 25-12, 25-20) at UFV’s Envision Financial Athletic Centre.
Tournament MVP Vania Oliveira racked up a match-high 12 kills to pace the Royals’ offence, with Vicki Schley and Caet McCorkell notching 10 and nine kills, respectively. Setter Jane Kepler dished out 38 assists, and libero Claudia Corneil had 18 digs for the champs.
The Mariners’ three outside hitters – Sadie Wilson, Mikayla Wagner and Danielle Groenendijk – tied for team-high honours with eight kills apiece, and libero Kelsey Hutt dug 19 balls for VIU.
Douglas’s McCorkell and VIU’s Wagner were named their teams’ players of the match.
Both teams advance to the CCAA women’s volleyball national championships, to be hosted by Grande Prairie (Alta.) Regional College, March 7-10.
TOURNAMENT ALL-STARS
Jane Kepler, Douglas
Vicki Schley, Douglas
Mikayla Wagner, VIU
Taylor Wickson, VIU
Olivia Heinen, UFV
Isabela Lima, Capilano
MVP: Vania Oliveira, Douglas