Mariners Open Nationals

VIU Mariners vs. Assiniboine College – Wednesday March 11, 10:00am (PST)

The PACWEST champion VIU Mariners will open the 2026 CCAA national championship tournament on Wednesday in Manitoba trying to ride the momentum from winning the Conference gold medal.

They are making their 20^th appearance in the national tournament and 12^th consecutive trip representing the PACWEST.  They won the national bronze last year and silver the year before that.

The Mariners will meet Assiniboine College from Brandon, Manitoba in the opening match.  The Cougars are the Conference champions for the first time after sweeping the Canadian Mennonite University in the gold medal match following a 13-5 regular season.  They were the only team to finish with a winning record in their four school Conference.

Their big swinger is Kylee Peake who collected 189 kills and Rookie of the Year Payton McNish added 115.  Setter Tyra Lasuik was named the Conference Player of the Year with over seven assists each match.  Head coach Kevin Neufeld was named the Conference Coach of the Year.

Coming off their thrilling five-set victory over the Capilano Blues in the gold medal match, the Mariners will be well prepared to meet the Cougars on Wednesday.   They will no doubt leave Nanaimo on Monday and get to Manitoba to adjust to the time change and their surroundings before opening the championship.

The winner advances to the semifinal match on Thursday while the loser will move to the bronze medal side of the bracket.