From CBC. After finishing the regular season in 3rd place, with a record of 13-11, the Bearcats women’s volleyball team was off to the PACWEST Volleyball Provincial Championships in Cranbrook, BC hosted by College of the Rockies (www.pacwestbc.ca/volleyball2013).
The ‘Cats opened the tournament Thursday, February 21st playing the first quarter-final match against the 6th seed Douglas College Royals. After a hard fought first two sets, with CBC coming out on top 25-23 and 27-25, the Bearcats came out flying in the third set, taking a huge lead. The Royals however battled back only to be defeated in the third set 25-18. CBC was led by their veteran players Sadie Ball, Jill Ratzlaff, and April van Wieren, with van Wieren being named Player of the Game for the Bearcats.
The lady Bearcats then advanced to the tournament’s first semi-final this afternoon against the 2nd seed, and defending national champions, the VIU Mariners, a team they had beaten only once in 4 regular season meetings. After going back and forth the entire match, clawing their way back from a 2-1 deficit, the Bearcats won the 4th set 25-22 and gathered as much momentum as they could heading into a fifth and deciding set. A set that would not only decide who would play for provincial gold, but who would also be 1 of 2 PACWEST teams to represent BC at the CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championships in Lloydminster, AB March 7-9. Needless to say, the Bearcats came out on fire, taking the set 15-7 and punching their ticket to the provincial final & CCAA National Championships. Third year setter, Anna Cupido, was named player of the game.
This marks the 4th time a Bearcats team will represent the PACWEST at the CCAA National Championships, but the 1st time in the history of Columbia’s women’s volleyball program.
The Bearcats will take on cross-town rivals, the UFV Cascades, for provincial gold tomorrow at 4:30 (PST). You can check it out live at www.pacwestbc.ca/volleyball2013
For more on Columbia Bible College Athletics please use the link in our Sports Directory or simply click here.