Gold Medal Dreams

#1 COTR Avalanche vs. #2 VIU Mariners – Saturday February 28, 8:00pm | WATCH HERE

PACWEST gold and bragging rights are on the line on Saturday night as the Avalanche and Mariners duke it out for the Conference title.

Friday night, the Avalanche survived a scare from the fourth seeded Capilano Blues taking care of them in a fifth and deciding set.  Points went back and forth on Friday night including the second set that the Blues won 29-27 before the Avalanche won the fifth 15-12. Dylan Annala came alive late in the contest and finished with 23 kills and Diego Policarpo added 17 in the victory.

The Mariners had an easier time with the Douglas Royals and swept them in three straight sets earning a berth in this gold medal match.  Rylan Van Kooten was great with eight kills and Jake Stobbe came alive to blast eight kills of his own for a very dynamic duo.  Their block defence was outstanding and will need to keep that momentum against the high-flying Avalanche offence.  Rowan MacPherson plugged the middle for the Mariners and recorded several important blocks as he was named the Player of the Match.

They met four times during the regular season with the Avalanche winning three times.  They last met at the beginning of February at COTR and split the weekend, which was the last loss the Avalanche suffered. 

These schools are very evenly matched, and many believe it will go the distance on Saturday.   Regardless of the outcome both schools will represent the Conference at the CCAA nationals in two weeks in Edmonton, the winner will be the Conference champion, the loser will be the wildcard. 

The Avalanche have never won a PACWEST gold but are the defending silver medalists.  The Mariners last won the Conference title in 2024.