VIU Aims to Out-Dig Douglas

Mariners look to defeat the Royals for the first time this season

(L-R) Enrico del Mundo, Jake Stobbe, Luke Sigurdson, Kolton Rawlusyk, Isaak Lank, and Owen Dyck focus before a November 10 game at the VIU Gym. Photo: Mary Kessenich

January 19, 2024

NANAIMO - The Mariners didn't lose a match in November. To keep that streak going in January 2024, they are going to have to defeat their New Westminster rivals from Douglas College for the first time this season.

VIU (7-3) hosts the Douglas Royals (5-7) to kick off the 2024 spring semester on Friday, January 19 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, January 20 (3 p.m.). The Mariners will look to even the season series with the Royals after dropping 3-1 and 3-0 matches in late October.

The Royals are 2-6 in their last eight games but won their last match against the #1-ranked team in the CCAA, the COTR Avalanche, in five sets. As the fourth-ranked team in a conference that only brings four teams to the provincial playoffs, the Royals need to pick up valuable points while the Mariners look to close the six-point gap between them and the Avalanche.

Fans can watch the games online via the VIU Mariners Athletics YouTube page and PACWEST.TV.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

VIU: Fifth-year middle Daniel Mascarenhas leads the PACWEST in blocks (0.82 per set) and is fifth in total offense. Rylan Van Kooten is VIU's top kill-getter with 2.28 per set -- good for eighth in the conference.

Douglas: Owen Lam sits first in the conference (4.5 kills per set) and is the only student-athlete averaging more than 4 kills per set. Lam is also first in total offense and second in aces.

For more information, contact Matt Carter, VIU Communications and Sports Information Coordinator.