With one weekend remaining in the PacWest women's volleyball regular season, the Douglas College Royals appear to be operating in playoff-ready mode.
The Royals made a cool sweep of the University of Fraser Valley Cascades last week, turning in identical 3-0 results in a home-and-home series.
However, the Cascades gave it their all before the No. 3-nationally ranked Douglas squad put it away, capping the weekend with three close decisions last Saturday.
But a win is a win, even if it is a squeaky 25-22, 25-23, 25-21.
Led by the usual standout performances from veterans Caet McCorkell and Vania Oliviera, the Royals sailed to a steady 19-12 advantage before hitting choppy waters. The Cascades, who are ranked 10th in the nation, went on a 9-2 run to pull even before Douglas reclaimed the momentum and take the opener. In the second game, Fraser Valley were bullish from the first serve and stake themselves to a 13-2 lead. It was met with a sizeable rally, as the Royals thumped their way to within two points, at which point a five-serve run from Grace Warkentin capped the comeback.
Emma Schill would set the tone in the third set, counting six straight service points to steer the home team to a satisfying 3-0 win.
One day earlier, the margin was a little less tense as Douglas took it 25-19, 25-20, 25-16.
Oliviera, the reigning provincial MVP, counted 19 kills and 23 digs, while McCorkell finished the two-day series 13 kills and 10 digs.
Averaging 2.69 kill per set -- third best in the PacWest -- and a second-best hitting percentage of .289, Oliviera continues to be a major catalyst for things with the squad.
Douglas wraps up the regular season with games Thursday at Capilano, and Saturday, 4 p.m. at the New West campus, against the Blues.
DOUGLAS MEN PROTECT FIRST-PLACE LEAD
It's been a while since the Douglas College men's volleyball team stared at an opening set loss.
It's been some time since they looked at a loss, period.
The Royals got to test their rally resources on Friday, overcoming a 1-0 deficit to defeat the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades 3-1 in PacWest men's play in New West.
It was the second match of a home-and-home series, with Douglas returning from Abbotsford with a 3-0 victory a day earlier. It also was the squad's 10th win in a row, boosting them to No. 3 in national rankings.
On Friday, they were put on their heels a bit when the Cascades took the first set (21-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16).
Despite a 1-21 overall record, Fraser Valley converted a quick 4-0 lead into the first-set win. They also gave the Royals some tense moments during the next two sets, but the New West squad powered through en route to the decision.
Backed by Reid Marriott's 23 kills, the Royals improved their hold on top spot in the league at 19-3, two games ahead of Camosun College and Capilano University. Contributing 16 kills was Max Haronga, whle Keatan Mann chipped in nine digs.
The previous day, Douglas rolled up a smooth 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-19) triumph, with Marriott netting 13 kills and Haronga eight kills and eight digs.
They close out the regular season this weekend with a home-and-home series against second-place Capilano University, Thursday in North Vancouver, and Saturday, 6 p.m. at Douglas.
