The VIU Mariners, one of the top teams in the country, arrived in Cranbrook for a high-stakes late-season matchup, and the Avalanche were ready to rise to the challenge in their final home weekend of the year. With a packed COTR gym fueling the energy, the Avs opened the weekend with a strong, back-and-forth battle that immediately showcased the level of volleyball on display. COTR took the opening frame behind a dialed-in offence, but VIU responded with a narrow 25–23 win in the second to even the match.
Opposite Dylan Annala was electric all night, carrying the offence and pushing the Avs ahead 2–1 with 29 kills through three sets. "At times our offence was dominant," said head coach Cisco Farrero. "Dylan was phenomenal offensively tonight, and we needed a bit more secondary scoring, especially late in the fourth, to help him carry the load." The fourth set became an emotional tug-of-war, with the Avs earning a match point before VIU answered with a key block to extend the match. The Mariners ultimately edged out the fifth set 15–13, handing the Avs a narrow five-set loss despite strong performances from seniors Diego Policarpo and Ethan Braam, and a standout 54-assist, 17-dig night from setter Boston Thiessen.
The intensity carried straight into Saturday, where COTR came out energized by the return of middle blocker Julius Molnar, who made an immediate impact after three months away with an ankle fracture. His presence helped spark a dominant 25–15 opening set, and while VIU countered in the second, the Avs' response in the third was emphatic. Service pressure from Albert Francisco and Policarpo created separation early, and a balanced attack pushed COTR comfortably ahead 2–1.
With memories of Friday's comeback loss still fresh, VIU again threatened to force a fifth set, building leads of 12–8 and 15–11 in the fourth. But this time, the Avs showed exceptional composure. A pair of VIU errors opened the door, and a clutch ace from Braam swung momentum back to the home side. COTR closed the match 25–22, earning a statement win to end the home schedule. Annala led all scorers with 21 points, Policarpo added 17, and Francisco delivered one of his most complete matches of the season—7 kills, 7 digs and 2 aces—to earn Player of the Match honours.
"This is a great win for us," said Farrero. "We were dominant for two sets and incredibly mentally tough in the fourth to come back. Dylan and Diego carried the offence, Albert was so clutch and efficient, and Reece was phenomenal on defence and reception again. Getting Julius back was huge, and our middle blocker group combined for 15 points. To finish our home schedule the right way was important for our guys."
The Avs wrapped up their home season with a remarkable 16–3 record in the COTR gym (including exhibition), and now shift their focus to the final stretch on the road. As Farrero summed it up: "We're gonna be road warriors now and go get a banner."
