The VIU Mariners women are ranked first, while the men are seeded second for the PACWEST volleyball provincials at Douglas College. (VIU Mariners)

By Dan Marshall

Volleyball Provincials

VIU Mariners heading to PACWEST volleyball provincials with high expectations

Feb 23, 2024 | 11:42 AM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners volleyball teams will be going for gold at the PACWEST provincials at Douglas College.

The women finished first in league play with a record of 18-2 while the men are the second seed at 14-6. Both teams will jump into semi final matches on Friday, Feb. 23 against their island rivals from Camosun.

Women’s coach Shane Hyde said his team is well prepared after a very strong regular season.

“In provincials you have to be ready to play the best of the best and we’re feeling pretty good going in.”

The Mariners women have set an incredibly high standard historically with four straight CCAA national titles before finishing fourth in the country in 2023.

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Hyde says there’s no chip on the shoulder for this team, they have always been focused on the now.

“We have a new culture for sure. We prep ourselves all season long for what we’re about to go through. This is the time of the season where we maybe lift the pressure off the players a little bit because they’re going to naturally put it on themselves.”

Abe Avender’s men’s side has been trying to simulate some of Camosun’s tendencies at practices in the lead up to provincials.

“The first match is everything, you’ve got to win it to get to the finals. So we’ve really geared things knowing that we’re going to play Camosun. Playing them just three weeks ago we learned a lot there too.”

Avender is hoping for a special finish to the 2024 season especially with arguably the best player the men’s program has ever produced in Daniel Mascarenhas.

“This will be his last season with us and Danny promised me a championship when he moved here from Brazil six years ago. We’re going to grad a few guys as well this year so they know this is their last kick at it. I really feel good in my gut that we’re ready.”

The men’s volleyball program is the only VIU team without a national gold medal which is something they are hoping to change starting with provincials and culminating with the CCAA nationals, which will be held at Camosun in Victoria.

The VIU versus Camosun provincial semi finals run at 1 p.m. for the women and 3 p.m. for the men.

Gold and bronze medal matches are set for Saturday, Feb. 24.

National championships will be hosted in Red Deer for the women and Victoria for the men.

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