Can sports create romance?

» Watch the game with your significant other; it could be good

Davie Wong Sports Reporter

I: that time of year again! Love is in the air and flowers are everywhere. But sports are heating up too. For years, people have sought a way to combine their love of sport and the expectations of a romantic night. It has been proven time and time again though that it’s probably not a good idea to try.

But what if I told you that you were just approaching it wrong? There is a way to get your significant other to sit on the couch with you to watch that important game and still have it be romantic. Well there actually is. You just need to make a couple of compromises.

Do something special before or after the game. Much like any other romantic occasion, it isa multi-step process. If the game is

: later on in the evening, take your

: other out for an earlier dinner.

: If the game is earlier in the day,

: take them out for something nice : after the game. This way you cover : yourself in case things go awry.

Involve your significant other.

: Most of the problems that come

: with not being able to watch

: sports together are birthed from

: boredom. Involve your significant : : other by talking to them about the : : game or certain events within it.

: If they don’t quite understand the : game, take some time to explain

: it to them. Sure it may take

: away from just sitting there and

: absorbing the action normally,

: but who knows, maybe they could : like it, creating a new connection

: between the two of you.

Talk to them about it

: beforehand. Communication is : always essential in any situation : and this one is no exception. It

: may be nice to try and surprise

: your significant other, but unless

: it’s front row seats and you know

: they’re a big fan, it will probably

: backfire on you. Talk to them and : get their input. Maybe they won't

: beas against the idea as you think. : Orif they are, you can always try

: to compromise.

Have a backup plan and

: recognize when things are going

wrong. It never hurts to be too

: prepared when youre uncertain. : This is definitely one of those

: scenarios where it helps to have a : plan in case things go south.

The most important part of

: this is that youre spending time

: together with someone you care

: immensely about. Sport brings

: asense of togetherness, unity, or

: community. If it can bring you and : your significant other closer, then

: that’s great. If not, then at least

: you're spending time together.

Image via thinkstock

Hot and cold

» Men's volleyball makes statement; wo

Davie Wong Sports Reporter

t was a big weekend for the

Royals volleyball teams as they travelled across the waters of the Salish Sea to challenge their rival, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners. Both Mariners squads boast impressive records

and the Royals looked to put their

mark on them.

The women were the first to square off in a tense back- to-back schedule. The first game of the weekend started off magnificently. The Royals looked on-point and on their way to an upset, taking the first set convincingly, 25-21. Unfortunately, the magic ended there.

The Royals got methodically outplayed as the Mariners demonstrated why they are the first place team in conference. The next day did not bode any better for Douglas. The first two

Mariners just barely closing out both 25-23. However, much like

the final set of the second game was a mess for the Royals. The Mariners took the final set easily and rolled their way to a sweep, finishing the weekend 2-0 and leaving the visitors 0-2.

The losses leave the Royals at a record of 8-10 and 16 points. They are still within arm’s reach of third place in their tight conference.

The men had a much better time. The Mariners came out strong to start but the Royals

FEA 4.

a

: had all the answers they needed. sets were neck-and-neck, with the : A quick 2-0 lead put the Royals : inacommanding position, but : VIU would not be put away so the final set of the previous night, : easily. They answered back in the : third, catching the visiting team

: off guard and stealing a set away

: from them. The attempt to fire up : the crowd was cut short though as : : the Royals snapped back to form, : finishing the Mariners in the

: fourth and silencing the home

: supporters.

Saturday’s game looked

: quite different as the Royals came : looking to finish their week 2-0.

: Starting with their foot on the

: gas pedal, the Royals looked as

: if they were going to run away

men fall short

photo by Davie Wong

—

: with it after two sets. However,

: channeling the energy of the

: home crowd, the Mariners were : able to surge back and take two : sets of their own.

They took the Royals to a

thrilling fifth and final set. Both : teams were neck-and-neck past

the halfway mark. However, it

: would be the visiting team that : pulled out the win at the end of : the day, finishing the set 15-12. : They ended the weekend 2-0.

With the wins, the Royals

: solidified their second place

: position in the PACWEST and put : some space between themselves

: and VIU, who sit below them with : their two fresh losses.

Player Profile: Nanaya Miki

» Nanaya Miki shows how it’s done

Davie Wong Sports Reporter

t has been quite the month

for the women’s basketball team. They went 7-0 and extended their win streak to 12 games. Throughout the run this month, none have hada much greater overall impact than fourth year forward, Nanaya Miki.

Having missed two-thirds of November, Miki came back to the starting lineup in January and her impact was immediate. In her first game back on January 8, she played an essential role in the team’s win against Langara. In 26 minutes she scored 14 points and had 1 assist, while also securing 6 rebounds and 1 steal.

In the month of January alone, she has accrued a total of 181 minutes, averaging just under 26 minutes a game. During that time, Mili has averaged 11.1 points per game with a 40.5 shooting percentage. She has also been a key component of the Royals physicality, constantly driving the basket looking for fouls and opportunities. She has been rewarded many times and : has converted 73.9 percent of — : them. To go with her shooting capabilities, Miki has also shown her ability to recognize offensive plays, and has averaged 2.6 assists a game.

Nanaya Miki

by Jennifer Gauthier via newwestrecord.ca

While her offensive

: numbers may shine, it is her

: defensive numbers that set

: her apart from the rest. This

: month, Miki averaged an

: astounding 7.7 rebounds per game. She also managed to

: average 1 steal a game, which is : an impressive feat on its own.

In terms of accolades,

Miki has managed to pick

: up two double-doubles this

: month. One during the

: team’s convincing win over

: CBC, where she picked up 14

: points and 10 rebounds, and

: once more during the team’s

: thrilling match against the VIU : Mariners, when she picked up

: 17 points and 12 rebounds. That : performance against VIU also

resulted in her being named

: PACWEST’s Female Basketball : Athlete of the Week.

While the team is certainly

: to be feared, even when Miki is : not on the court, when she is, : the team is truly unstoppable.