Silver Lining
Coming into the PACWEST Provincial Championship, the Royals women’s volleyball team had already done something they hadn’t done in a very long time. A regular season top two finish ensured them a first-round bye in the playoffs. But the journey after that first round was going to be just as difficult.
By Davie Wong
Coming into the PACWEST Provincial Championship, the Royals women's volleyball team had already done something they hadn't done in a very long time. A regular season top two finish ensured them a first-round bye in the playoffs. But the journey after that first round was going to be just as difficult.
In fact, waiting for them in the semi-finals were none other than the Capilano Blues. Both teams were pretty equal, considering they both finished with the same regular season record. The Royals finished ahead of them due to the head-to-head record, and now faced them on their quest for gold.
Having come off a five set thriller the night before, the Blues were definitely feeling the effects of the tournament. The Royals keyed in on that and delivered a 25-18 set to start the game off. The Blues answered right back with their own 25-18 set win and raised the stakes in the third, coming back and winning 25-23 to really put the pressure on the Royals.
Needing the fourth set to force a fifth, the Royals found a way to get the job done. Juliana Penner, and Vicki Schley came in clutch for the team, activating just in time to break the Blues defense. With that, the Royals forced a fifth with a 25-21 set win.
With an entire season's worth of ambition on the line, it was now down to this one set to decide who would be moving on, and who would be looking on what could have been. Both teams traded points up to and past the regular set score. But in the end, it was the Royals' Georgia Hurry that put an end to the seemingly endless and never-wracking rally. Her massive block was what the team needed to win the game, and she delivered, ending the set 16-14, and securing her a chance at gold.
For the first time in 15 years, the Royals women's volleyball team would be playing in the gold medal match. Their opponent was none other than the hosts, the VIU Mariners. It was always going to be a tough match. But the Royals have proven on many occasions that they are more than capable.
It was a tough start right out of the gate. The Royals pushed late in the first set, but the Mariners had too much of a lead from the early stages of the first set for the Royals to overcome. They dropped the first set 25-21. The second set saw the Royals fall behind early once again before making a late set push. It just wasn't enough as the Mariners topped off the set with a score of 25-20. The third was where the Royals have had the most success this season. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be the case against the Mariners, and the Royals fell to the hosts with a 25-17 set loss.
Though they fell short of gold, the Royals captured the silver. It would be the programs' first silver medal since 2000-2001, and first medal since 2001-2002. There's a lot to look forward next year for the team, as players come back better, faster, and stronger.
