VIU Mariner Jane Lytvynenko helped lead her team to a 19-1 season and collected multiple awards from PACWEST. (Gibi Saini/VIU)

By Alex Rawnsley

hardware

VIU Mariners dominate PACWEST year-end awards

Feb 23, 2023 | 12:07 PM

NANAIMO — The hardware handed out at year’s end for the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) had a decidedly local flavour.

The league announced honours for both men’s and women’s volleyball programs on Wednesday, Feb. 22, celebrating the best performances for the 2022/23 season.

Three Mariner women were named First Team All-Stars, with Jane Lytvynenko and Linnea Brickwood both earning accolades for the second straight year, along side teammate Cassidy Kitchen.

Mika Yamada earned her second straight nod on the Second Team All-Star roster while Ella Sladden made the All-Rookie team.

Individual honours also flowed for the ladies program, who will host the CCAA National Championships in March and are searching for their fifth straight national title.

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Lytvynenko and Brickwood earned top outside hitter and top hitter awards, while Megan Duffy was named the best middle blocker.

Shane Hyde won coach of the year for helping guide the team to a 19-1 record so far, while Lytvynenko wrapped a stellar season by being named player of the year for PACWEST for the second straight season.

The women’s Mariners take on College of the Rockies on Friday, Feb. 24 for a spot in the provincial final. Regardless of the result, they will advance to nationals as the host team.

The men’s program was nearly as dominant.

Daniel Mascarenhas and Lucas Torres were named to the First Team All-Star roster, while Torres also earned a spot on the All-Rookie team.

Torres was named rookie of the year for PACWEST men’s volleyball and Mascarenhas earned top middle blocker honours.

The men’s Mariners have gone 10-10 this season and face the College of the Rockies on Friday, Feb. 24 in the provincial semi-finals.

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