VIU vs COTR: Season Openers

CRANBROOK, B.C. – After completing an 850-kilometre drive, the Mariners will take the floor for the first time in the 2024-25 regular season as the squad battles the host COTR Avalanche.

 When & Where

• Friday, October 18 at College of the Rockies, 5 p.m. Mountain Time / 4 p.m. Pacific Time
• Saturday, October 19 at College of the Rockies, 12 p.m. Mountain Time / 11 a.m. Pacific Time

Tune In

Games will be streamed live on the COTR Athletics YouTube page. Streaming links can also be found on the PACWEST website and PACWEST.TV.

Head-To-Head

While the Mariners won all four matchups with COTR in 2023-24, the Avalanche gave the Mariners all they could handle in Week #1 of the regular season at VIU. The Mariners took those games 3-2 and 3-1 in October before earning two three-set sweeps in Cranbrook in January.

Watch Out Now

The Avalanche have some experience in the lineup, including four fourth-year student athletes from the Prairies (three from Alberta and one from Saskatchewan). Setter Hannah Zurakowski joins COTR after spending three years at NAIT and outside hitter Ella Nichols was 15th in kills per set last season.

For the Mariners, PACWEST first team all-star and conference rookie of the year Aimee Skinner returns and will be a dangerous attacker. Grace Brisebois and Regan Ingram will also give VIU plenty of offensive firepower from the outside.

Fresh Faces 

Three first-years dot the VIU roster, including talented setters Danica Henderson (Victoria, BC) and Keira Crellin (Calgary, AB). Nanaimo product Maggie Wood, who graduated from Nanaimo District Secondary School, joins them in the lineup.

Transfers

Libero Jordy Exner and outside hitter Maya Lees have transfered to VIU after outstanding rookie seasons last year with the ACAA conference champion UKC Blue Devils.

Fifth Years

Libero / outside hitter Emma Schill and and middle blocker Kiana Gelissen are in their fifth and final year of varsity eligiblity while middle blocker Megan Duffy is set to graduate after this season.

Coaches

Head coach Shane Hyde--nearly two and half decades in to leading the Mariners women's volleyball program--is joined by long-time assistant Jas Shahi and returning assistant coaches Maria Johnson and Kirsten Drummond. Cassidy Kitchen, who completed her varsity career in 2022-23 with an outstanding season at VIU, rounds out the coaching staff.

For more information, please contact VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.