February 7, 2012 - 6:25am
Mariners enter PacWest championships as the No. 1 seed
By Josh Aldrich, Daily News (Feb. 23, 2012
The final destination has never been in doubt for the Vancouver Island University Mariners women's volleyball team - as hosts for the national championships, they get a seat at the table - but now it's about how they get there.
The Mariners are off to provincials this weekend at Douglas College in New Westminster as the top seed, and they will be riding in on a high with three Pacific Western Athletic Association all-stars and a top rookie.
In short they want to be on their home floor with one banner already raised.
"It's a reality - it's here," said head coach Shane Hyde. "For so long we've been talking about it but it seemed so distance. Now it's here and the excitement levels are up."
[Full story]()
Earlier post:
VIU prepares to host women’s national volleyball championship
The final draw won’t be set until the last week of February but plans are well underway at Vancouver Island University to host the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Volleyball Championship March 8-10.
“We hope to get a great turnout from VIU and throughout the region,” says Athletic Director Bruce Hunter.
His wish-list also includes a national title for the top-ranked VIU Mariners who appeared to have won the tournament last year before a controversial call gave Alberta’s Mount Royal Cougars a chance to come back and take gold.
Even if there isn’t a rematch for the national title, VIU tournament organizers and volunteers are working to attract as many fans as possible for the entire three days.
“There should be 1,000 people in the gym for the final games on Saturday but we hope to get good crowds out on Thursday and Friday as well,” says Hunter.
Event manager Mike Stefan has been working with Nanaimo-area schools and volleyball clubs to encourage attendance at the Thursday and Friday afternoon games.
“We hope young fans will come out and adopt a team and cheer them on. It’s all aimed at having the best experience possible for the athletes,” says Hunter.
Students in the [Sport, Health and Physical Education]() and [Recreation and Tourism]() programs at VIU will be helping to stage the event, the first national championship that has been hosted at the Nanaimo campus since 2007.
The VIU gym will undergo a major transformation for the event with a Sport Court (on loan from Thompson Rivers University) installed to give athletes a first-class facility for competition. Platforms will also be erected for television cameras and the games will be webcast by [Sports Canada TV]()
Eight teams from across Canada will compete. BC, Alberta and Quebec will have two teams each in the tournament with one from Ontario and another from the Atlantic region. Seeding for the tournament will be determined following provincial championships which will be held across the country Feb. 23-26.
Check Sports Canada TV for webcasts of those tournaments.
Ticket prices:
VIU Students/Students under 18 - $5.00
Adults - $10.00 (Thursday and Friday) $15.00 (Saturday)
Kids under 10 – Free
On the web:
VIU Mariners:
CCCA Women’s Volleyball:
Sports Canada TV:
For more information:
Bruce Hunter, Tournament Chair, 250-740-6402
Mike Stefan, Event Manager, 250-729-1581
Brent Dunlop, Media Relations, 250-740-6403
Tags: In the Community
