The VIU Mariners women's basketball team won their provincial championship over the weekend, qualifying for nationals later in March. (VIU Mariners)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FOUR'S COMPANY

VIU Mariners complete perfect nationals qualification campaign

Mar 6, 2023 | 9:22 AM

NANAIMO — Upcoming national championships for university-level basketball and volleyball will have a lot of local flavour.

The Vancouver Island University Mariners men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams will all represent at their respective national championships beginning Wednesday, March 8.

The basketball squads completed the clean sweep over the weekend with the women winning their PACWEST provincial championship via an upset 67-61 victory over Capilano on Saturday, March 4.

VIU led early, by a 16-3 margin, and used the advantage throughout the rest of the gold medal game.

CJ Buckley top scored with 23 points, while Harriette Mackenzie scored 16 of her own, adding 15 rebounds.

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The CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship is being hosted in Hamilton, ON mid-month.

The men fell in their provincial final game, their first loss of the year, but will still qualify for their national championship in Calgary later in March.

Capilano defeated the Mariners 98-95 in a back-and-forth affair which almost went to overtime after a last-second attempt to tie from VIU.

Tori Odom was named VIU’s player of the game with 24 points while both Richard Henderson and Landon Rafliff scored 19 each.

Both volleyball squads qualified for their national championships in late February.

As hosts of the national tournament, the women had their entry confirmed prior to a runner-up finish at provincials.

They’ll host Humber at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, their first game in a quest for an unprecedented fifth straight national title.

Meanwhile, the men have travelled to Toronto in advance of their first game on Wednesday, at 5 p.m. against Sherbrooke.

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