NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners basketball teams have begun a journey they hope will lead to the 2026 national championship.
Last season both teams finished first in the PACWEST regular season with the women winning the provincial championship and making at appearance at nationals and the men ending up with a provincial silver medal.
While the women will need to win provincials again to return to the national tournament, the men will be in the tournament as the host team team.
Men’s coach Matt Kuzminski said the national berth will make this a special year.
“Every other year you’re thinking about getting better and then eventually trying to make the national tournament but this year we’re hosting the national tournament. That’s definitely in the back of our mind. We’re going to be there in Nanaimo March 18th to 21st at Vancouver Island University hosting the national championship so that’s a focus. But the way we approach it is the day in and day out stuff at practice, trying to get better each day with the ultimate vision of being prepared to play really well in March.”
The Mariners are going with a smaller roster and have players in key positions with big game experience.
“We do have some good additions. We added some pieces to a group where we were able to bring back some of our veteran guys who have been around for a long time. We have mainstays like Kai Leighton, Ryan Bastian, Markus Modrovic, these guys have been in the program for years and they’ve been to national tournaments. They’ve been right to the end in those national tournaments, we have been able to win a gold with this group yet but it’s really excited to have that opportunity to cap out some of their careers playing at home.”
The women’s team had just one loss until the CCAA national tournament last year, but fell short of winning a medal.
Coach Tony Bryce said it may take longer for this year’s team to round into form but expectations are still high.
“Everybody dreams of winning a national championship, but I’m a believer in just getting to the national championship is a major accomplishment, and then what will be, will be, some things have got to go your way when you’re there. For us, it’s a lot of new faces, and an actual new system, and we got to stay really, really focused on the process here and understanding that it’s probably going to get take a little more time than usual for us to really hit our stride and play the basketball we want to play.”
Fifth year women’s player Kaia Simpson said the Mariners are a tight knit group which will serve them well in their quest for a championship.
“I’m very excited. It’s my last year, so, I’m ready to go out with a bang and spend this last year with my second family It’s going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of communication, and a lot of teamwork. But mainly just sisterhood. Staying together, playing as one team, and trusting each other.”
Both Mariners teams started off the year with back to back wins over Okanagan. VIU’s next action will be Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at Columbia Bible College.
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