Playoff Preview: Revved Up for the Rivalry

NANAIMO - Last season, the Douglas Royals ruined VIU's chance to earn conference gold in the VIU Gym. In 2024, the Mariners used a reverse sweep to clinch conference gold over Douglas on the Royals's home court. These two teams will face off again in a 2026 PACWEST semifinal.

Who, When & Where

• PACWEST Championship Semifinal: VIU Mariners (12-8, second seed in the PACWEST, CCAA ranked #5) vs Camosun Chargers (10-10, third seed in the PACWEST, CCAA ranked #13)
• Friday, February 27 at Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, 3 pm 
• Visit the Tournament Website for more details

Tune In

The game will be streamed on PACWEST TV on YouTube.

Head-To-Head

The Mariners and Royals each earned a 3-0 win over the other back in November but both of the recent matches in late January went to the Mariners: 3-0 and 3-1.

VIU has earned an 8-2 record in the spring semester while the Royals have gone 4-6. Both teams have won three of their last four matches.

The Royals are the reigning PACWEST conference champions while VIU last earned conference gold in 2024.

Watch Out Now

Douglas: Five Royals earned conference awards: Marvin Tumusiime (First Team All-Star), Luke Hans (Second Team All-Star), Nikolas Robles (Second Team All-Star), Bryston Bilawka (All-Rookie Team), and William McBride (All-Rookie Team).

VIU: Two Mariners earned all-star awards: setter Owen Dyck (First Team All-Star) and outside hitter Rylan Van Kooten (Second Team All-Star).

The Stakes

The winner moves on the PACWEST gold medal game on Saturday, February 28 at 8 pm against the winner of College of the Rockies and Capilano University while the loser will play for bronze Saturday at 3 pm. As the PACWEST holds a national wildcard spot, both semifinal winers will also qualify for the 2026 CCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship on March 11-14, hosted by NAIT (Edmonton, AB).

For more information, please contact VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.