The defending PACWEST silver medalist VIU Mariners have retooled and will look to get back on top of the PACWEST and CCAA mountain this season as they open the year on their home floor this Thursday night.
Following last season, the Mariners have big shoes to fill after the graduation of a few key contributors. That said, they will once again be a veteran team with proven winners up and down their roster who are hungry for the season to begin.
GRADUATES:
Jane Lytvynenko has graduated from VIU leaving a major piece of their offensive attack from the last couple of seasons. She is a two-time CCAA Player of the Year and finished with a Conference high 258 kills last year.
Cassidy Kitchen was a First Team All-Star in her only season with the Mariners last year. She was a veteran leader who the younger athletes looked to for advice. Last season she collected 230 kills.
Kayla Passmore has also graduated after a wonderful collegiate volleyball career. She was a huge piece of the pie during the Mariners championship run.
IMPACT RETURNERS:
Linnea Brickwood, Setter (pictured): Brickwood, recognized as the PACWEST’s top setter in 2022-23, returns for her third season with the Mariners and will direct an offense with plenty of firepower. She brings incredible defensive acumen to the setter position as well.
Megan Duffy, Middle: the top middle blocker in the Conference last season, Toronto’s Duffy stands to take on an increased leadership role with VIU in her third PACWEST season.
KEY ADDITIONS:
Emma Schill, Outside Hitter: Returns to the PACWEST after a couple of years out of college competition. Schill was a member of the PACWEST All-Rookie team with Capilano in 2017-18 and a Conference First Team All-Star with Douglas in 2019-20
Regan Ingram, Outside Hitter: From Calgary, Ingram joins the Mariners after two years as a member with the University of Calgary Dinos. She earned 214 kills and 170 digs against U Sports competition.
Aimee Skinner, Outside Hitter: A multi-sport athlete, Skinner led her Kalamalka Secondary School team to the AA provincial girls volleyball championship and earned tournament MVP honours. Her Vernon Firehawks club team won gold at the 2022 Volleyball BC U17 provincial championship. In June, she was named co-winner of the Tim Hortons North Okanagan Athlete of the Year award.
The Mariners open the 2023-24 PACWEST campaign on Thursday on their home floor when they welcome the COTR Avalanche.