Lauren Grey
Blues Crew, Communications
The Capilano University Blues men's volleyball team put up a valiant effort tonight against the Vancouver Island Mariners but ultimately fell short, losing in four sets (19-25, 25-18, 24-26, 14-25).
The underdog story is one the Blues have embraced all season long. Today, they tried to upend the Mariners, and although it was close, they ultimately fell short.
Tonight was senior night on the women’s side, but for the men’s team, there are no graduating players, with the entire squad still in their early years of eligibility. The game itself was filled with thrilling rallies and a flurry of aces from both teams, creating an exciting atmosphere for fans to enjoy.
The game began with a close and competitive start, as both teams exchanged powerful hits early on. As the first set progressed, the Mariners managed to pull ahead, but the Blues quickly regrouped, feeding off the energy from their bench. This sparked a strong performance in the second set, where the Blues took control and dominated.
With the game tied at 1-1, the third set turned into a battle. The Blues displayed their underdog spirit, while the Mariners had everything to lose, but in the end, the Mariners were able to edge them out in the third by a narrow margin of 26-24. If that set went the Blues way, the night could've gone differently; it was a game of inches that didn't go their way.
The fourth set got a little out of hand, and the Mariners took it to the Blues 3-1 in sets.
The top performers from the Blues tonight were Kingsley Ndu, with 12 kills and 2 aces for his team, as well as a big performance from Xavier Masztak, who is always a constant offensive threat for the Blues, locking 10 kills and 2 aces.
Despite the loss, the Blues performance was a testament to their growth and determination throughout the year. With a young squad, the team continues to embrace the underdog role, showing they can compete with the best. As the season wraps up tomorrow, the Blues have shown how competitive every team in the PACWEST really is.
Tomorrow is their final game of the season as they take on the Mariners at 3 pm.
Come out and support your Blues one more time!
Leading the way in tonight's loss:
— Capilano University Blues (@CapilanoBlues) February 15, 2025
Ndu - 12 K, 2 ACE
Masztak - 10 K, 2 ACE, 1 BLK
Raabe & Labossiere - 4 K#GoBlues #BleedBlue #CapU pic.twitter.com/NgeyHwTqdS
