This weekend's games will give the Camosun Chargers women's volleyball team some indication of where they are in the Pacwest and in sa国际传媒.
The Chargers open the season tonight at 6 p.m. at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence against the Vancouver Island University Mariners, the defending Canadian college champions. The teams will meet again on Saturday at 6 p.m. while the VIU men and the Chargers will battle both nights at 8 p.m.
"We look at the season as a long journey," said Camosun coach Chris Dahl. "The important thing for us is that we have to be great at the end of the year at the provincials. The Mariners are the defending champions and they will be strong again. We have a good program with nine returnees and I'm expecting some great matches."
Dahl is hoping that setter Kelsey Clarke and third-year players Mariah Holmstrom and Hillary Graham can provide some leadership. Some of the rookies on the roster are Lainey Jantzi from Parksville, Erika Morris from Prince George, Jamie Rodstrom from Belmont and Claire Ash from Stelly's.
"The league will be tough and competitive as ever," said Dahl. "Every program is deeper in talent. Fraser Valley placed third at the nationals last year and that just shows the competitive nature of our league."
Six of the seven teams will advance to the provincials, Feb. 21-23 at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. The nationals are March 7-9 in Lloydminster, Alta.
The Camosun men's team, coached by Charles Parkinson, also has nine returnees.
"We are stronger than last year because we are a year older and wiser," said Parkinson.
"We have also added some nice recruits and that will give us a good mix."
Some of the newcomers on the team are setter Ryan Marcellus from Oak Bay, Lachlan Poulson from Claremont, Lucas Dellabough from Lambrick Park, James Cameron from the Gulf Islands, Adrian Best from Grande Prairie and Robin Smith from the Yukon.
"Ryan [Marcellus] helped Oak Bay win the provincials last year and he is a solid player," said Parkinson. "He has lots of experience as a quarterback for a team."
Providing the stability for Parkinson will be fifth-year players Garrett Marcellus (brother of Ryan) and Andy Inglis.
Also back with the team are Alex Sadowski, who was the Pacwest rookie of the year and second-year setter Ryan Thain.
"From what I've seen in pre-season play, I think Camosun, VIU and Columbia Bible College will be fighting it out for the two spots to nationals.
"VIU will be a good test for us. Both teams are very close and hopefully home court will help us.
We have a big, physical team but it will be the small things like crucial digs that will win games."
The men's provincials are also Feb. 21-23 in Cranbrook, while the nationals are March 7-9 at Welland, Ont.
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