All four VIU Mariners sport court teams are ranked number one in Canada two weeks running. The Mariners programs are rounding into form just ahead of provincial tournaments in Abbotsford in late February and early March. (Kevin Chen)

By Dan Marshall

Mariners On Top

Mariners basketball and volleyball teams ranked number one in Canada

Feb 17, 2022 | 6:21 PM

NANAIMO — They’re simply the best, better than all the rest.

All four men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball squads at Vancouver Island University have held the number one ranking in the nation for two weeks running.

VIU athletic director Danielle Hyde said it’s an historic accomplishment not just for the university but for the entire CCAA.

“They indicated this was history making for all four court sport teams at one school to be ranked number one at the same time.

The men’s volleyball team are in first place in the PACWEST with a 12-3 record.

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They have won eight straight matches and haven’t lost in the 2022 portion of the season.

At 12-2 the Mariner women are second in the provincial standings.

The women are going after a record tying fourth straight national title and have a ten match win straight dating back to Nov. 26.

On the basketball side, the women’s Mariners are 15-0 in a season in which they will host the CCAA national championship.

Their slimmest margin of victory all season has been 11 points.

The men have a 14-0 record and have hit at least 100 points in eight of their games with their highest points allowed total at 97.

Hyde said the success of the four teams is not a one off.

Head coaches Shane Hyde (W) and Abe Avender (M) for volleyball, and Tony Bryce (W) and Matt Kuzminski (M) in basketball are the program drivers but Hyde pointed out the assistants and athletes deserve much of the credit.

“Our coaches put in work recruiting and bringing in the right student athletes and retaining them. The goal here is to be always participating in the national championships regardless of their ranking.”

PACWEST provincials are scheduled to run normally after a hiatus in 2021.

Both the volleyball and basketball championships will be hosted by Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.

The volleyball dates are Feb. 24-26 with basketball a week later from Mar. 3-5.

While all four programs are aiming to make the nationals the women’s basketball team has already earned a spot with VIU as the host team.

Hyde said preparations for the CCAA Women’s Basketball Nationals Mar. 25-27 are progressing well with weekly logistical meetings taking place.

Working through COVID-19 restrictions has been a large part of the process but organizers received some good news with the confirmation on Feb. 15 that sporting events would return to full capacity.

Hyde noted the planning for the tournament has been a collaborative effort.

“We’ve got really good connections with student groups on campus as well as faculty and our student union is always incredible to work with. It’s shaping up to be a really cool big event to welcome people into our gym.”

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