The men's and women''s Mariners volleyball teams have championship aspirations as the new PACWEST season begins. (VIU Mariners)

By Dan Marshall

First Serve

VIU volleyball teams gearing up for continued success in 2023-24

Oct 19, 2023 | 9:41 AM

NANAIMO — Both VIU Mariners volleyball teams finished fourth at CCAA nationals last season, and the program is optimistic they can better that this time around.

The women had a very good 2022/23 campaign but coach Shane Hyde admits the pressure of trying to win a fifth straight national title in their own gym added a lot of weight on the player’s shoulders.

“We came fourth in the country and we felt like it was a major devastation. The pressure is off of us this year. There is pressure to be the team that we always are for sure. But to be at the level of pressure we had last year it’s definitely a nice feeling to not have that on our shoulders.”

Hyde has a mix of veterans and newcomers on his roster as the team heads into the season opener Thursday, Oct. 19 against College of the Rockies.

“We’ve got a really good balance this year. We only have three high school recruits fighting for starting positions. We’ve got a whole pile of third year transfers, so there’s lots of experience there. Plus we have a handful of third, fourth and fifth year players that have been with our program for a long time.”

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The men also open their season against COTR on Thursday looking to take another step forward with an emerging squad.

“We’re super pumped,” coach Abe Avender, said. “We finished on a high note with a young group last year that finished fourth at nationals. To have everybody returning and some new recruits as well we’re pretty exited to see what the year has in front of us.”

Even though the Mariners are a young team again, Avender feels the time is now for his team to chase a medal at CCAA nationals.

“Guys like Daniel Mascarenhas and Max McDonald, they’re finishing their careers with us so this is the year for these guys. We’re young but we’re a beast now. Let’s have that thought of being at nationals at Victoria and see if we can do some damage.”

Avender hasn’t seen every team yet but is certain College of the Rockies will bring a strong squad to Nanaimo for the season opener.

“I know College of the Rockies are solid, I’ve heard good things about Douglas. Camosun I’m not really sure, but they’ll be very young. But we have a good test with COTR to start.”

The opening weekend of matches against COTR will see the women play at 6 p.m. on both Thursday, Oct. 19 and Friday, Oct. 20 with the men to follow at 8 p.m.

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