The VIU Mariners men and women will both play host College of the Rockies in PACWEST provincial semifinals. (Matt Carter)

By Dan Marshall

PLAYOFFS

VIU Mariners volleyball teams vying for provincial titles

Feb 24, 2023 | 11:28 AM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners men’s and women’s volleyball teams are in Cranbrook for PACWEST provincials.

Both sides are in semifinal matchups against the host College of the Rockies on Friday Feb. 24, but expectations will be different with the 10-10 men looking for an upset victory while the 19-1 women’s squad is the top seed and also four-time defending national champions.

Men’s coach Abe Avender said the entire season has been a learning process.

“We started the season with eight to nine new faces. Of all my years this group has been really exciting in how much they’ve taken on training-wise and been right into it the whole time. I’m excited to see where we are this weekend.”

VIU was 1-3 in the regular season matches against COTR but Avender noted there wasn’t much to choose between the two teams with three out of four meetings going to five sets.

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There’s more than just a spot in the provincial final on the line when the two sides meet up on the weekend.

“There’s some extra fire in us because if we win there’s a national wild card berth. One win and we’d get to go to Humber for nationals.”

Shane Hyde hopes his women’s team won’t have a slip up in their semi final.

They are already hosting CCAA nationals in March to take a run at a fifth straight national title.

“The last few national championships we’ve won, we came through as a wildcard. We know it’s not the end-all, be-all thing. I’m usually afraid for our semi-final game, that’s the most stressful game for us but it isn’t the case this time.”

The Mariners were a perfect 4-0 against COTR in the regular season but provincials are a clean slate for everyone.

“That’s all in the past, it really means nothing and it’s one game these guys need to come up big against us. Playing in front of their home crowd, they’re a different animal in front of their home crowd and in their own gym, so we’re going to have to be on our game for sure.”

There’s been a lot of attention paid to the Mariners ‘Drive for Five’ to win an unprecedented fifth straight national championship.

Hyde said while that’s great for promoting interest his team will just continue following their blueprint for on court success.

“I don’t think our team has used it once all season. It’s not a fair representation for our team. Really the only way a season is a success is if you win the whole thing, but it’s not fair to judge it on that alone because I know the calibre of play is so strong when we get to nationals.”

The women’s semi final is a 5 p.m. start on Friday while the men will play at 7 p.m.

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