Camosun women hoopsters aim for five

 

Teresa Hartrick up for the rebound
(Photo by Rob Macklem, Victoria Camera Club)

Following three consecutive wins, the Camosun College Chargers women’s basketball team is eager to return to the hardwood this weekend with an aim to add a pair of wins to their recent streak.

Currently positioned fourth in the standings with a 10-4 record, the defending BCCAA Provincial Champions are focused on capitalizing on the remaining two weekends of competition while preparing for the post season.

This past weekend, the Chargers provided a packed gymnasium of fans to a 64-62 nail-biter with the home team coming out victorious in the last three seconds of the game against third-ranked Island rivals, the VIU Mariners. As predicted by Camosun head coach Brett Westcott, keeping up with VIU's powerful starting line-up was key for the Chargers.

“VIU is really strong physically and they have the capability to blow anybody in our league out of the gym,” he commented. “We just do not have that same firepower, so we knew for us to win it was probably going to be close all the way to the end. We were fortunate to rebound well and to shoot well. Considering VIU’s talent, our main goal was to prevent them from running up and down the court in transition.”

Despite the underdog status, Camosun led 35-26 at the half and was actually up 12 points near the middle of the second quarter. But a fired-up VIU came back to steal the lead outscoring Camosun 22-8 and ending the third quarter ahead by five. In spite of the turn-around, the Chargers managed to regroup and prevailed in the end.

"I think VIU imposed their talent on the game in the third and took over just long enough for us to get out of whack,” said Coach Westcott. “We failed to execute properly on offence while not matching up correctly defensively, but I give our team credit because they did not give up.”

Fans will expect to see the Chargers in fine form this weekend as they take on the Douglas College Royals who were 0-12 until winning this past weekend's games against the bottom ranked CBC Bearcats.

Never one to underestimate the competition, Coach Westcott was adamant about not taking anyone for granted. "Douglas is a big and physical team and they are well-coached. We have always struggled against them and we will have to be prepared to work hard and to execute well if we hope to do well.”

The Chargers are at home this weekend as they face off against the Douglas College Royals in the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

Fri, Feb. 12 Women at 6pm; Men at 8pm
Sat, Feb. 13 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm

Men’s Volleyball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Vancouver Island University Mariners
Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Camosun
Start Time: 7:45pm
Final Score: VIU 3 – 1 Camosun (20-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22)

Denis Boyd going up for the kill

(Photo by Richard James, Victoria Camera Club)

Despite a hard fought effort, the Camosun Chargers men volleyball team could not pull off a win this evening against their VIU Island Rivals.

Over the course of the evening, the two squads entertained a full house of fans to a score of exciting rallies and an array of spectacular hits and digs.

The Chargers came out blasting tonight, taking the first set 25-20. In the second set, the two teams battled neck and neck with the Mariners answering back to end it 25-21. VIU pulled ahead again in the third leaving the Chargers behind 25-19. In the final and deciding set which ended 25-22 in VIU’s favor, the Chargers were resilient to the end but could not keep the Mariners at bay.

Left side veteran Brent Hall led the Chargers with 20 kills 1 block, 2 aces and 3 digs. Second-year libero Josh Coutts (Claremont) dug deep to help out the team with 15 digs.

Adding another defeat to the count, the Chargers end this weekend’s Island Rivlary with one win (women’s basketball) and three losses (men’s basketball, women’s volleyball and men’s volleyball).

The Chargers men head into the BCCAA Provincial Championships (Februrary 25-27, hosted by Camosun) positioned fifth in the standings with a record of 8-8.

Women’s Volleyball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Vancouver Island University Mariners
Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Camosun
Start Time: 6pm
Final Score: VIU 3 – 0 CAM (25-17, 25-12, 25-10)

Camosun on the attack

(Photo by David Gibson, icanplaystudios)

The Chargers women fell quickly tonight ending their league season with a loss to the visiting Mariners who pulled off a three-set victory.

The Mariners jumped on Camosun in the first set, taking it to 25-17. In the following two sets, the Mariners dominated the host squad winning 25-12 and 25-10.

Leading Camosun was second-year power hitter Tanisha Marcelle with 8 kills, 1 ace and 4 digs.

The Chargers women head into the BCCAA Provincial Championships (Februrary 25-27, hosted by Camosun) in sixth place with a 6-10 record.

With tonight’s defeat, the Chargers have tallied up one win (women’s basketball) and two losses (men’s basketball and women’s volleyball) in this weekend’s Island Rivalry series.

The Camosun men will be put to the test next, as they face the Mariners with a focus on chalking up a win to end their season and begin preparations for Provincials. Game time is 7:45pm.

Men’s Basketball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Vancouver Island University Mariners
Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence
Tip-Off: 8pm
Final Score: VIU 91 – Camosun 57

Blake Mansbridge driving to the hoop

(Photo by Richard James, Victoria Camera Club)

The Camosun Chargers men put forth a hard fought effort tonight along with a lot of heart as they faced off against the the number one team in the nation, the VIU Mariners.

Sitting at the bottom of the BCCAA standings, Camosun fared well against the country’s top team during the first half of the game and was at one point only 11 points behind in the second quarter.  In the third, the Chargers almost tied the Mariners in points, shooting 21 to their 25. VIU took the stage in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Chargers 22-7 and surging ahead to a 91-57 victory.

Second-year forward Tyler Olsen (Fanny Bay) led Camosun with 16 points while Mariner Andrew Kaban posted 24 for the winning team.

Up next for the Chargers men basketball team is a doubleheader in Victoria against the Douglas College Royals.

Friday, Feb. 12 Women at 6pm; Men at 8pm
Saturday, Feb. 13 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm

Following tonight’s basketball games, the Chargers are 1-0 in this weekend’s Island Rivalry. Check in tomorrow as Camosun and VIU take to the courts in volleyball action.

Saturday, February 6th
Women at 6pm; Men at 7:45pm

Women’s Basketball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Vancouver Island University Mariners
Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence
Tip-Off: 6pm
Final Score: Camosun 64 – VIU 62

Photo by Rob Macklem
Victoria Camera Club

The Camosun Chargers women closed their annual series against the VIU Mariners with a barn-burning victory tonight in front of a full house of fans at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

The two teams played neck and neck in the first quarter with Camosun pulling ahead with a six-point lead (20-14). In the second, the Chargers managed a double digit lead (33-21) with only two minutes to go. VIU answered back but was not able to close the gap completely. Camosun ended the first half 35-26.

The Mariners claimed the third quarter, outshooting the Chargers 22-8 and taking the lead with only two minutes to go. The third ended with Camosun trailing by five (43-48).

In the fourth quarter, the Chargers climbed their way back into the lead but the Mariners did not concede easily. The two teams battled back and forth, taking turns reclaiming the lead and tying the score. At 62-all, with only three seconds remaining on the clock, Camosun’s Chelsea McMullen scored the final and deciding basket.

Second-year wing/post Chelsea McMullen from Prince George (pictured above) led the Chargers with 17 points. Team mate Kymber Gale (Lambrick Park) was close behind with 15 and third-year vet Teresa Hartrick (Claremont) posted 13. Brittany Knievel led the Mariners with 17.

Next weekend, the Camosun women hoopsters face the Douglas College Royals in Victoria.

Friday, Feb. 12 Women at 6pm; Men at 8pm
Saturday, Feb. 13 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm

Camosun turbo-charged for Island Rivalry weekend

The Camosun College Chargers and the VIU Mariners basketball and volleyball teams take to the courts this weekend to battle for the 2009-2010 Island Rivalry title.

In the first leg of the series, Camosun conceded to the Mariners in Nanaimo (November 20-21) three games to one. VIU took both volleyball matches, sailing away with a 3-1 win for the women and a 3-0 win for the men. In basketball action, the Camosun men were hammered by VIU who cruised to a 90-52 victory. Putting up the single win for Camosun were the Chargers women who outscored the Lady M’s 60-49, denying VIU of a perfect weekend.

The second and deciding chapter of this year’s Rivalry takes place in Victoria at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence February 5 & 6.

Following a bye weekend, the Chargers basketball teams are eager to hit the hardwood. Despite the women’s win over VIU in the first half of the season and the home court advantage, Chargers head coach Brett Westcott is approaching this weekend’s game with caution.

“Anytime we play VIU it is a big game for both teams,” said Coach Westcott. “They have the best starting five players in our league. They are big and athletic and they present all kinds of matchup problems. We may have snuck up on them last time, but we will need to play well at both ends of the court if we hope to stay close.”

Coming in as the underdogs, the Chargers men will have their hands full taking on the Mariners who are the number one team in the country.

“We will have to play extremely disciplined and determined to make this a competitive and exciting game,” stated Chargers men’s basketball head coach Craig Price. “VIU is number one in the country for a reason … they have maturity, experience and toughness and they are confident and disciplined within their system.”

While winning may be a long shot, Coach Price knows what it will take to keep pace with the Mariners and trusts that his team will step up to the challenge of playing one of the best college teams in the country.

A candid Coach Price remarked, “I think the team is very disappointed in their performance this year. VIU is just one part of that. We don't feel like we have played them very tough to date, but we have a great opportunity to change that this weekend.”

“We will have to defend extremely well, match their physical nature and make open shots,” he explained. “One of the ways many teams are causing us problems is full court pressure and ball pressure in general. Cutting and taking care of the ball will be absolutely KEY for us to be competitive. Mentally and emotionally we will need to focus on attacking them and working hard for the entire game.”

The match up against VIU marks the final league matches of the season for the Camosun volleyball teams prior to the Provincial Championships (which Camosun will host February 25-27). And following their back to back wins this past weekend, the Chargers men and women are raring to go.

“VIU is a big hitting team and an experienced team,” commented Chargers head coach Alison Hitesman from the women’s program. “We will need to match their hitting with decent blocking and defense but as demonstrated this past weekend, we have lots of combinations and tools to find a win. I’m very optimistic … this match will be an exciting one!”

On the men’s side, Camosun head coach Charles Parkinson is feeling poised and confident. “VIU has had a very good season,” he remarked. “When we played them early on, they were unstoppable. But they haven’t really performed to that level since. In contrast, we’ve been getting steadily better and certainly more consistent. We will match up well against them and have a great opportunity to win. This is going to be a very exciting match … our guys want redemption!”

Don’t miss the action this weekend as the Chargers dig in with all fours to take on the Mariners on home ground!

Fri, Feb. 5 Basketball Women at 6pm; Men at 8pm
Sat, Feb. 6 Volleyball Women at 6pm; Men at 7:45pm

All games at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (4371 Interurban Road).

Catch Chargers Head Coaches Alison Hitesman and Charles Parkinson comment on their teams' back to back wins against the College of the Rockies Avalanche and the plan of attack for this weekend's match up against the VIU Mariners ...





This weekend, the Chargers face familiar foes, the VIU Mariners in the second and final match of the Island Rivalry series at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence in Victoria.

Friday, Feb. 5 BASKETBALL Women 6pm; Men 8pm
Saturday, Feb. 6 VOLLEYBALL Women 6pm; Men 7:45pm

Saturday's event marks the final league matches of the season for the Chargers volleyball teams as they head into the BCCAA Provincial Championships February 25-27, hosted this year by Camosun College.

Men’s Volleyball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. College of the Rockies Avalanche
Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Camosun
Start Time: 2:45pm
Final Score: Camosun 3 – 1 COTR (23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-23)

The Camosun Chargers men pulled out another win today, defeating the College of the Rockies Avalanche 3 games to 1. The Chargers end the weekend with a league record of 8-7.

Giving his starters a rest from last night’s straight set victory, Chargers head coach Charles Parkinson sent in several of the team’s reserve players to help secure today’s win.

First-year import from Halden Norway, Henrik Herrebroden, hit the floor with 12 kills, 2 aces and 7 digs. Second-year left side Blaine Barron (Maple Ridge) also chipped in 12 kills with an ace and 6 digs.

Despite sitting out the entire first set and a portion of the second, third-year right side Alex Saddlemyer made 12 kills, 2 blocks, an ace and 2 digs. Second-year libero Josh Coutts (pictured below) planted 16 digs, certifying his dominance as top digger in the league.

(Photo by Kevin Light)

Women’s Volleyball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. College of the Rockies Avalanche
Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Camosun
Start Time: 1pm
Final Score: Camosun 3 – 0 COTR (25-18, 25-22, 25-13)

The Chargers women repeated last night’s take down of the College of the Rockies Avalanche with another 66-minute straight set win. With this weekend’s back to back wins, the team is 6-9 with one league match left in the season.

Leading the Chargers in points today was first-year middle, Ineke Rhebergen (pictured below) from Smithers who posted 6 kills, 6 blocks, 1 ace and 3 digs.

(Photo by Kevin Light)

Men’s Volleyball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. College of the Rockies Avalanche
Friday, January 29, 2010 at Camosun
Start Time: 8:05pm
Final Score: Camosun 3 – 0 COTR (25-21, 25-20, 25-16)

The Camosun College Chargers men swept past the Avalanche tonight in straight sets, balancing out their season wins and losses to 7 a side.

Despite a broken nose, veteran Brent Hall from Red Deer, AB (pictured below) led the Chargers with 17 kills, 1 ace and 3 digs. Team mate Alex Saddlemyer was close behind with 12 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces and 3 digs.

(Photo by Kevin Light)

The Chargers and Avalanche meet again tomorrow with Camosun looking strong and poised for another win. Match time is 2:45pm at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

Women’s Volleyball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. College of the Rockies Avalanche
Friday, January 29, 2010 at Camosun
Start Time: 6:15pm
Final Score: Camosun 3 – 0 COTR (25-19, 25-13, 25-21)

It only took the Camosun College Chargers women a little over an hour to take down the Avalanche 3 sets to 0 tonight. The win gives Camosun a 5-9 record with only two matches to go in league play.

First-year middle Jen Swiatlowski (Oak Bay) led Camosun with 7 kills, 1 block, 1 ace and 4 digs. 

The Chargers face the Avalanche again tomorrow with a focus on back to back wins. Game time is 1:00pm at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

#1 Kelsey Elder and #2 Jen Swiatlowski up for the block (Photo by Kevin Light)

Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Results
Camosun at University of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford)

Saturday, January 23, 2010
Women: UFV 3 – 0 CAM (27-25, 25-21, 25-12)
Men: UFV 3 – 1 CAM (25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22)

Sunday, January 24, 2010
Women: UFV 3 – 1 CAM (25-17, 21-25, 25-17, 25-22)
Men: UFV 3 – 2 CAM (25-20, 25-27, 22-25, 25-11, 15-10)

Next up for the Chargers Volleyball teams …
Chargers host the College of the Rockies Avalanche (Cranbrook)
Fri, Jan. 29 Women at 6pm; Men at 7:45pm
Sat, Jan. 30 Women at 1pm; Men at 2:45pm

Men’s Basketball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Quest University Kermodes
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Camosun
Tip-Off: 3:45pm
Final Score: Quest 77 – Camosun 64

The Quest University Kermodes posted their second game of the weekend today against the Camosun College Chargers.

The Kermodes began the game with an early surge, ending the first quarter with a 23-8 lead. The Chargers picked up the pace adding 19 points to their score in the second, but not before Quest came in with 25 points of their own, making it a 48-27 game at the half.

Despite starting the second half 21 points behind, the Chargers dug down deep outscoring the competition 23-11 in third and bringing the score to 59-50 for the Kermodes. Though a hard fought effort was made, Camosun could not bridge the gap and the Kermodes ran away with the game, 77-64.

Second-year forward from Fanny Bay, Tyler Olsen, led the Chargers with 26 points while second-year forward Joel Wollengberg put up 16 for the Kermodes.

Next up for the Chargers basketball teams is a bye weekend. The Camosun teams come back to take on the VIU Mariners in Victoria on Friday, February 5th in the second and final match up in this year’s Island Rivalry series. The women start at 6pm, men at 8pm.

Women’s Basketball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Quest University Kermodes
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at PISE
Tip-Off: 2pm
Final Score: Camosun 62 - Quest  51

Despite a late start in today’s game which set tip-off back an hour, the Camosun Chargers women closed their weekend series against the Quest University Kermodes with a perfect weekend.

The Chargers gave the Kermodes an early lead, ending the first quarter three points behind (12-15). Camosun pull ahead in the second, ending the first half eight points ahead at 31-23. The second half was Camosun’s all the way in spite of the Kermodes’ 21 point effort in the third quarter which tightened the gap to a 3 point lead for the Chargers (47-44). Outscoring Quest 15-7 in the final quarter, Camosun ended the game with a double-digit lead, 62-51.

Second-year wing/post Chelsea McMullen (Prince George) led the Camosun cause with 20 points.

Next, the Chargers men take to the court at 3:45pm in anticipation of a win against the Kermodes who won last night’s game.

Men’s Basketball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Quest University Kermodes
Friday, January 22, 2010 at Camosun
Tip-Off: 8pm
Final Score: Quest 63 - Camosun 60

The Camosun Chargers men could not pull out the win tonight, losing by 3 to the Quest University Kermodes.

The Kermodes came out blasting in the first quarter with 15 points before Camosun could get on the scoreboard. The Chargers then got into the game with 10 straight points, adding 21 points to Quest’s 8 in the second and taking the lead at the half, 31-25.

The third quarter was close with the two teams battling for supremacy on the scoreboard. Camosun came up with 19 points while Quest was right behind with 18. At the beginning of the fourth, Camosun was ahead 50-43. With four minutes remaining on the clock, Quest turned the game in their favor and maintained the lead to win 63-60.

Second-year guard Blake Mansbridge (Nanaimo) was the high scorer for the Chargers with 11 points. Fifth-year veteran for the Kermodes, Bryce Froberg, posted 12.

The Chargers try to even the score in their final match up against the Kermodes at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

Sat, Jan. 23 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm

Women's Basketball Results
Camosun College Chargers vs. Quest University Kermodes
Friday, January 22, 2010 at Camosun
Tip-Off: 6pm
Final Score: Camosun 63 - Quest 57

The Camosun Chargers women ended the evening on a positive note tonight, taking the Quest University Kermodes to a 63-57 win.

The Chargers put up the majority of points in the first half, leading their opponents at one time by 17. Despite coming back to outscore Camosun in the third and to tie them in the fourth, the Kermodes could not stay ahead, losing the battle by six points in the end.

Third-year post Teresa Hartrick (Claremont) led the Chargers with 24 points while Krystal Shouten chipped in 20 for the Kermodes.

The Chargers challenge the Kermodes again tomorrow at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

Sat, Jan. 23 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm

Camosun student-athlete earns CCAA kudos

Camosun College is proud to announce that second-year power hitter for the Chargers women’s volleyball team Tanisha Marcelle, has earned the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association Athlete of the Week award for her outstanding performance against the Douglas College Royals on January 8-9.

Ms. Marcelle currently leads the BCCAA league in aces, having scored 21 over 38 games played.  She is also #5 in kills, averaging 3.39 per game.

Chargers Athletics Coordinator Graham Matthews commended Ms. Marcelle on her recent honors. “We are all very proud of Tanisha’s accomplishments. She has really proved herself in her second year at Camosun, excelling both on the court and the classroom. Over the past two weeks, Tanisha has earned the Provincial Athlete of the Week award, followed by a National Athlete of the Week recognition … and all while achieving top grades in the Camosun Nursing Program.”

Check the CCAA website for Tanisha’s award profile.

Chelsea McMullen burns past the Wolf pack at Friday night's game against UNBC (photo by Kevin Light).  Find results from the weekend below ...

Results for Chargers vs. UNBC Timberwolves
Saturday, February 16, 2010 at Camosun
Men’s Tip-Off: 3pm

Despite playing some great basketball last night against the CCAA’s second-ranked men’s basketball team, the Camosun College Chargers could not create a repeat performance in today’s game with the UNBC Timberwolves, losing 106-58.

The T-Wolves led all the way, outscoring the Chargers by double digits in the first three quarters and leading Camosun by 33 points at the half. Compare this to last night’s first half where the Chargers were only four points behind the #2 team in the country!

Camosun guard Blake Mansbridge led the Chargers with 18 points.

Jose Araujo put up 21 points for the Timberwolves with teammate Kevan Madsen close behind with 20.

Next week, the Chargers host the Quest University Kermodes at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

Fri, Jan. 22 Women at 6pm; Men at 8pm
Sat, Jan. 23 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm

Results for Chargers vs. UNBC Timberwolves
Saturday, February 16, 2010 at Camosun
Tip-Off: 1pm

It was another day that ended in disappointment for the Chargers women as they fell for the second time this weekend to foes, the UNBC Timberwolves.

Despite the loss, the Chargers gave the Wolves a run for their money today taking the lead in the first quarter 17-12. Half-way through the second, Camosun was up by seven points but with only two minutes remaining, the Wolves stole the lead and ended the first half 28-26.

Only two points down at the beginning of the second half, the Chargers were ahead of last night’s performance when the Wolves had them at the half by 14. Fighting back hard in the third, Camosun closed the gap even further outscoring UNBC 17-14 and ending the quarter 42-41.

The Timberwolves took over in the fourth with 22 points over Camosun’s 13, sealing the game by 10 points (64-54) and leaving Victoria with a perfect weekend.

Third-year post Teresa Hartrick (Claremont) led the Chargers with 17 points. UNBC’s Erin Beckett piloted the way for her team with 19.

Next week, the Chargers host the Quest University Kermodes at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

Fri, Jan. 22 Women at 6pm; Men at 8pm
Sat, Jan. 23 Women at 1pm; Men at 3pm