The Vancouver Island University Mariners women's basketball team looks to close out 2022 with a CCAA national championship on home court. (Gibi Saini)

By Dan Marshall

Going for Gold

VIU women’s basketball team seeking CCAA title on home court

Mar 25, 2022 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners have been waiting two years to host the CCAA women’s basketball nationals.

COVID-19 shutdown the tournament in 2020 and 2021 but finally the top eight teams in Canada have made their way to Nanaimo.

Athletic Director Danielle Hyde said it’s rewarding to finally see the payoff after so many months spent organizing.

“It’s been a time in the making and actually being able to deliver what we started is a good feeling for sure.”

Hyde said making the event special for all the teams is a priority.

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“We do have a responsiblity to make it memorable. For some people this is the biggest stage they will play on. Making Nanaimo a memorable city to come to, making this feel like their home for as long as they’re here is important.”

VIU women’s coach Tony Bryce is excited to have an opportunity to win a championship at home and remembers how difficult it was have the event cancelled in 2020.

“I remember when I had to tell the girls there wouldn’t be a tournament. To be able to put a bit of closure on that whole situation, everything about it just feels right.”

The Mariners will be joined by the Okanagan Coyotes, Saint-Lambert Cavaliers, MSVU Mystics, Nait Ooks, Dawson Blues, Humber Hawks and Lakeland Rustlers.

Lakeland out of Vermillion, Alberta come in as the number one seed in the country with VIU ranked eighth.

The Mariners first game of the tournament is against the Rustlers at 6 p.m. on Friday March 25.

VIU rolled through an 18-0 regular season, won their PACWEST provincial semifinal but then came up against a red hot Okanagan team in the BC final.

The had to settle for silver after a 79-74 loss but Bryce believes the setback can have a positive effect.

“There was a sting there for sure, it hurt. We had to get over the loss and realize we were blessed with an opportunity to continue playing. We needed to get back to work maybe with an additional level of focus to achieve what we want to do.”

The tournament will be emotional for fifth year athletes Amber Lease and Kiara Johnston and other long time Mariners Shayce Johnston and Courtney Buckley.

Bryce said they’ve been through a lot together and he’s looking forward to one more weekend with this group of veteran players.

“For them rather than look at the end let’s look at the time we do have left and cherish every single moment in every single game. They’re a special group and what a great way to end a career, on home court competing for a national championship.”

Tickets for the CCAA nationals are available as a day pass or a full event pass. Hyde recommends purchasing in advance at www.eventbrite.ca/e/ccaa-womens-basketball-nationals-2022-tickets-267871680407.

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