NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners women’s basketball team is chasing down a second national gold medal in three years.
The team is in New Brunswick preparing for their first game against the Mohawk Mountaineers out of Ontario on Wednesday, Mar. 12 at 9 a.m.
Mariners athletic director Danielle Hyde is proud of a group that has excelled with a 21-1 regular season record and a pair of wins at the recent PACWEST provincials.
“This team has persevered this year and as a result of their hard work and dedication, they have a shot at a national title. What stands out is how they play for each other, no matter what.”
As of the last national rankings VIU was seeded second in the country.
The SAIT Trojans are the top seed and the Mariners will be joined at the tournament by the Columbia Bible College team they beat in the PACWEST final.
Rounding out the eight team draw are the St. Mary’s Lightning, MSVU Mystics, St. Thomas Tommies and Géants de Saint-Jean.
VIU will be lead by PACWEST provincials MVP league all-star Harriette Mackenzie and fellow all-star Mackenzie Cox.
Hyde said a huge part of the success of the programs belongs to the coaching staff led by Tony Bryce.
“I believe our coaches are some of the best recruiters and team builders. Not only do they bring in incredibly talented athletes, but they bring in character people and each team has created its own unique culture with the leadership of our coaching staff. This is what builds and contributes to sustainable success.”
The Mariners have games on Mar. 12 and 13 and hope to still standing for the medal games to be played on Mar. 15.
Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic the Mariners finished second at the 2022 nationals, took the gold medal in 2023.
They didn’t qualify for the tournament in 2024.
In advance of the games the CCAA will hand out 2024-25 awards at a ceremony on Mar. 11 in Fredericton.
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