Bears and Pandas volleyball teams come into the second half as the teams to beat in Canada West

Golden Bears

The Volley Bears were under significant pressure at the beginning of the season to live up to their title as CIS National Champions. Now undefeated in fourteen league matches, the Bears have displayed an utter refusal to lose all season long. Having come back on more than one occasion down 2-0 in sets, the Bears play their best volleyball when it counts, proving they certainly have what it takes to repeat as national champs.

The Bears’ depth has gotten them through several tight matches. Coach Terry Danyluk has experienced consistent performance from various offensive looks, with fourth year Ryley Barnes playing both left and right side, while setter Brett Walsh has quarterbacked the Bears, leading the nation in assists in the process. Along with Barnes, Ryan Nickifor, Kevin Proudfoot, and Alex McMullin have contributed to the offence. Middles John Goranson and Taylor Arnett have proven to be insurmountable blocking forces for several teams and libero Reed May has been a rock on defence all season.

In short, the Bears are what we thought they were at the beginning of the season — an utterly dominant force of a team with a deep roster and a strong desire to win. They have imposed their will on each of their opponents, and have seemed nearly unstoppable all year long. If they continue to play this way for the remainder of the season and playoffs, they will certainly go far. Currently ranked first in CIS, a Christmas break spent competing against powerhouse NCAA programs from UCLA and USC has prepared the Bears for the remainder of their season.

Pandas

They’ve had their struggles throughout the season, but the Volley Pandas come into the second half of the season as the top ranked team in the CIS. Having experienced disappointing playoff exits in their last few seasons, the Pandas were hungry to prove themselves this season.

The Pandas have certainly shown themselves as championship contenders, amassing an 11-3 record throughout the first half of the season with strong wins over powerhouses UBC and UBC Okanagan. If one facet of their game can be thanked for this dominance, it’s their blocking. Dione Lang and Jess Stroud provide offence down the middle as well as stellar blocking, being 6’4” and 6’1” respectively. This grinding middle attack in combination with the outside hitting prowess of Kacey Otto, Meg Casault, and Josephine Doerfler has led the Pandas to success throughout their season. In addition, a commitment to team defence led by libero Jessie Niles has seen the Pandas compete hard, game in and game out.

Going into the second half of their season, the Pandas are where they wanted to be. They are the team to beat in Canada and have proven themselves to be legitimate contenders at the highest level. If their key players continue to shine and the Pandas maintain their dominant net presence, there is no ceiling for coach Laurie Eisler’s squad. After their dominant home-court performance at the Pandas Invitational over the holidays, the Pandas go into the second half of the season with plenty of momentum on their side.