The Douglas College Royals closed out the first half of the women’s volleyball season in a good spot, and on a good run.
Although the last head-to-head weekend saw them draw a split, it came against the top-ranked team in Canada, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners.
While they enter the Christmas break with a 3-0 loss on their minds, the fact that the Royals kept it close each set – falling 25-21, 25-22, 25-23 in Nanaimo – offered some seasonal solace and hope.
Even better, a day earlier Douglas College briefly drew even with the Mariners in the PacWest standings, edging the Islanders 3-1 (25-13, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22) in a victory that was a long time coming.
That opening set, where the visitors dominated the heavily-favoured hosts, set the stage for the Royals’ first win over VIU in a decade.
Friday’s victory over the Mariners ended a 10-year drought for the New Westminster team, a streak that saw VIU, and in its previous incarnation, Malaspina, go 93-6 in sets over Douglas.
Leading the way in the win were Brazilian rightside hitter Vania Oliveira, who racked up 15 kills, while Georgia Hurry and Juliana Penner picked up 13 apiece.
Knocking down eight in support was Vicki Schley.
Although they were unable to complete the sweep on Saturday, the closeness of each set was a strong sign that the No. 6-ranked Royals are within striking distance.
In the loss, Oliveira netted 11 kills and two aces.
Schley counted another eight kills, while Autumn Davidson and Penner tacked on six each.
The season starts back up Jan. 6 when the Royals host Fraser Valley.
