ThereB次元官网网址檚 something about beating the No. 1-ranked team in the nation that can be helpful come national championship time.

For the Camosun Chargers menB次元官网网址檚 volleyball team, knocking off Douglas College for the PacWest crown this month allowed the B.C. champs to slip into the RoyalsB次元官网网址� spot atop the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association rankings heading into this weekB次元官网网址檚 national tournament in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

As the top-rated team, they drew the eighth seed for tomorrow nightB次元官网网址檚 (March 12) opener, tourney host Holland College, a squad that went 5-10 in league play, but upset University of New Brunswick Saint John in the Atlantic Collegiate semifinals. The Hurricanes lost the ACAA final 3-0 to the St. Thomas Tommies of Fredericton, who come in ranked No. 6.

The top ranking and advantageous draw were not lost on the Belmont secondary alumni on the Chargers, all four of whom are taking their longest road trip ever for volleyball.

B次元官网网址淓specially going in, we can walk in with a bit of confidence,B次元官网网址� said first-year middle Doug Waterman, who saw a lot of playing time at the PacWest tournament, moving on and off the floor opposite fellow Belmont alum, fourth-year middle Alex Sadowski.

The team held rather light practices the past week, with head coach Charles Parkinson stating he didnB次元官网网址檛 want to risk injuries before nationals. Part of their preparation has been watching film of the teams they could face in Charlottetown, looking for individuals to key on, or potential opponentsB次元官网网址� defensive or attacking tendencies.

First-year leftsides Taran Silas and Mark Severinsen didnB次元官网网址檛 see any court time at provincials, being further down the depth chart than tournament MVP Cam Fennema, team captain Jeremy Finn and Tyler Remenda at their position. While they may see little to no game time at nationals either, the former Bulldogs know they need to be prepared if the call comes to sub in.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been working on a lot of defensive play at practice (the past week),B次元官网网址� Severinsen said. B次元官网网址淔or first-years (to get in the game), itB次元官网网址檚 about having confidence on the court and making the most of your opportunities.B次元官网网址�

Silas agreed, saying, B次元官网网址淚 feel itB次元官网网址檚 all about earning trust from the coaches.B次元官网网址�

The two feed off the energy and example shown by Finn, whoB次元官网网址檚 not afraid to give direction to his teammates on and off the court.

Waterman takes his lead from Sadowski, the teamB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渙ld soulB次元官网网址� who brings a calm approach to the game, but can crank up the intensity when needed.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a pretty well put-together dude in all aspects of his life, whether itB次元官网网址檚 volleyball or school or whatever,B次元官网网址� Waterman said with a grin.

The three rookies would love nothing better than to see their team win it all for graduating players like Sadowski and Kelowna native Finn, a rare fifth-year player in the college ranks, both of whom won their first B.C. title with the team this year.

B次元官网网址淚 want a ring,B次元官网网址� Waterman said forcefully. B次元官网网址淗opefully we can get one for those guys.B次元官网网址�

As for Sadowski, the notion of ending his collegiate career with a chance to go out on top saw him with mixed feelings as the team prepared to fly out Monday night.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely kind of an emotional experience, knowing that youB次元官网网址檙e not going to be playing at that competitive level again, at least for this college and in this league,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淜nowing you have the opportunity to finish your last game winning (a title), itB次元官网网址檚 definitely something we all look forward to.B次元官网网址�

Passing along the sage words of Parkinson, who has played and coached at this level in past, Sadowski said, B次元官网网址淭he biggest enemy when youB次元官网网址檙e playing in these tournaments is yourself and your mind, thinking too much about things. You really try to avoid those (distractions), play your own game and know what you have to do.B次元官网网址�

While he acknowledges that staying focused will be key, he allowed himself a little dreaming time.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great opportunity, itB次元官网网址檚 a great, exciting road trip to extend our season. ItB次元官网网址檒l be exciting to see what happens,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檇 be nice to be flying back with another banner and a bunch of gold medals.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com