‘Weird’ season tests volleyball Mariners

The VIU Mariners women's volleyball team won 25-17, 25-9, 27-25 on Friday and then 25-19, 25-14, 25-19 on Saturday.

Most years, being .500 at the break would be unheard of for the VIU Mariners women’s volleyball team. This year, that sort of standing would represent a small victory for the M’s.

Vancouver Island University’s women’s v-ball team has had a tough go of things this fall, with player turnover, injuries, and sanctions for using an ineligible player.

“It was like, OK, what else is coming now? What other weird things?” asked Shane Hyde, the team’s coach. “Those are all past us now and it’s just a matter of kind of working through it.”

He said his players have shown patience and belief and seem to be rounding the corner after sweeping two matches against the Douglas Royals last weekend at the VIU gym. The M’s won 25-17, 25-9, 27-25 on Friday and then 25-19, 25-14, 25-19 on Saturday.

Megan Rosenlund was strong offensively and defensively, Victoria Hocking played well against her former team and Ashley Van Acken, back from injury, solidified the blocking in the middle.

“Our systems are all starting to come around,” Hyde said. “The girls are starting to buy into it and understand it and our confidence levels are up.”

GAME ON … The Mariners women’s and men’s volleyball teams travel to play the Columbia Bible College Bearcats on Friday (Nov. 28) and Saturday.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin