The VIU Mariners are chasing volleyball gold on two fronts. The women start their CCAA nationals journey in Red Deer March 6 and the men have their tournament in Victoria beginning March 7. (VIU Mariners)

By Dan Marshall

Going for Gold

Mariners volleyball teams heading to CCAA nationals

Mar 6, 2024 | 2:36 PM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners volleyball teams are going to national tournaments in Red Deer and Victoria.

The women’s side will get underway first with a match Wednesday, March 6 in Red Deer versus the UKC Blue Devils out of Halifax.

Mariners coach Shane Hyde said the team is very prepared even though they don’t have any history with the first opponent.

“Our coaching staff breaks down video very well. We’ve got the experience of being in these situations many times at previous nationals so we have that set up and we can get into a routine. You have to expect that every match goes five sets right across the board.”

Hyde brought the team out to Red Deer earlier this year so the team is already familiar with the court there.

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“At Christmas time we actually did a trip to Alberta and at that time we purposely did a trip over to Red Deer so we have played in this facility in January. The whole idea of that was that we’d be used to this gym. “

Even though VIU has won four CCAA national championships in five years Hyde says it doesn’t feel like the Mariners have a target on their backs in 2024.

“It feels like we’re not the frontrunner. I feel we’re not the target even though we go in as the number two seed, it’s like we’re in the shadows a bit and I love it.”

The VIU men are traveling down island to Camosun for their nationals which begin March 7 against the Saint Thomas Tommies from New Brunswick.

Coach Abe Avender is relieved that the issue of travel is taken out of the equation.

“It’s a great facility and I’m really happy it’s there. My family is going to be there and for Mariner fans it’s an easy drive down and my hope is if we’re in the final on Sunday that barn is full of Mariner fans.”

On the heels of a five set comeback win in the gold medal match at PACWEST provincials Avender said the belief factor is sky high for his team.

“I think we’re ready, we’ve battled some crazy adversity and we have a belief we can win. Now we’ve got to play our best three games and if we do we have a chance to do something our program has never done and that’s win at nationals.”

All season long the Mariners have relied on their depth to win important matches and Avender believes it will be one of his team’s biggest assets at the CCAA tournament.

“We’re the deepest team I’ve ever had in a skill set scenario. There’s a special feeling around this group. We’re prepped as best as we’ve ever been.”

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