2026-27 Commitments: Women's Basketball

NANAIMO - The Mariners graduated a number of key pieces of their 2025-26 national championship team and look to reload with a strong 2026-27 recruiting class. 

Kaitlin Vergara

Hometown: Port Coquitlam, BC
School: École Riverside
Position: Point Guard
Height: 5'3"

A slick and skilled point guard from a perennially strong Riverside Rapids program, Kaitlin follows the footsteps of former Rapids and current Mariners Annabelle Neufeld and Mikella Campanile to VIU. In 2025-26, she was named a provincials second team all-star as her Rapids squad earned silver at the BC 4A senior girls basketball championship after winning the Fraser North Championship. 

"The team culture, chemistry, and competitiveness immediately felt like the perfect fit for me," Kaitlin said. "The program has a strong sense of community that pushes everyone to grow on and off the court. Academically, VIU offers the right path for my goals, making it feel like a great place for me to continue my academic career along with my athletic career."

Coach Luke Holmes said he is very optimistic for what Kaitlin can bring to the VIU program. "Kaitlin brings a level quickness and intensity to the court. In addition to her speed, she comes from a great program at Riverside and that will help in her transition to the next level. We're excited to have Kaitlin join the team!"

Avery Snook

Hometown: Victoria, BC
School: Royal Bay Secondary
Position: Forward
Height: 5'11"

Avery is a successful multi-sport athlete (soccer, volleyball, and basketball) with the Royal Bay Ravens. She's earned plenty of success at Royal Bay, including female athlete of the year awards in grades 10 and 11, a Senior Athletic Service award last year, and was named BC School Sports Athlete of the Month this past October. Her senior girls basketball team recently won the Dover Bay Invitational tournament, so winning in Nanaimo suits her well!

"The first time I met the coaches and girls, I felt welcomed," Avery said. "I am excited to train in great facilities and I know I will be pushed to grow and learn in such a great environment."

"We are excited to add a versatile, tough kid to the roster," coach Luke Holmes said. "Avery has a great foundation to build into an impactful player for us. We look forward to seeing her in action in a VIU jersey!"

Gray Talbot

Hometown: Nanaimo, BC
School: Wellington Secondary
Position: Guard
Height: 5'7"

A hometown guard with no fear to drive to the net through traffic or shoot from distance, Gray was named a Vancouver Bandits BC player of the week when she was a junior playing with Wellington's senior girls team and was named an all-star at the 2026 Totem tournament. Her familiarity with the VIU women's basketball program had a big hand in her decision to attend and compete at VIU.

"I chose Vancouver Island University because of the welcoming yet competitive culture the team has built over the years," Gray said. "Growing up in Nanaimo, I had the opportunity to attend the VIU Mariners basketball camps, where the coaches and players not only developed my skills but also inspired and strengthened my passion for the game. I'm excited for the opportunity to continue growing within this program, to be challenged to reach my full potential, and to pursue my academic interests in health sciences alongside such a dedicated community."

"Gray is a local kid who's worked hard on her game and fitness to make the jump to the next level," VIU head coach Luke Holmes said. "I've had the privilege of working with her on club teams and in our VIU camps. Gray has developed as a player and in her final year found an offensive groove. We're lucky to have an energetic, hardworking individual joining our team and we look forward to seeing Gray's growth in a Mariners uniform."

Kateri Krueger

Hometown: Okotoks, AB
School: Holy Trinity Academy
Position: Forward
Height: 5'10"

Kateri was a co-captain with the Holy Trinity Academy Knights, a top-ten SSA 4A ranked team from Okotoks—a basketball hotbed that is also the hometown of Mariner and PACWEST all-star Trista Thorn. This season, Kateri was named an all-star after winning the HTA Knights Classic tournament in December and followed that up with a 25-point, 23-rebound performance in a victory of the 4A South Central Zone championship final. Her team went on to finish fourth in the provincial championship and she was named Knights player of the game in the bronze matchup. 

"I chose to pursue my basketball and academic career at Vancouver Island University because it offers the perfect balance between competitive athletics and strong academic opportunities," Kateri said. "The team's competitiveness and commitment to playing at a high level really stood out and aligns with the standard I want to be part of. The program provides a supportive environment where I can continue to develop as a player while also focusing on my long-term goals in the classroom. Overall, I believe this is the best place for me to challenge myself, improve, and succeed in the next stage of my journey."

Head coach Luke Holmes said he is looking forward to the intensity Kateri is expected to bring to the team. "She will bring a competitive edge to our squad, and her athleticism and grit will be on display next year. We're excited to add Kateri—a tough kid—to the VIU roster!"

Grace Hogan

Hometown: Teton Valley, ID
School: Treasure Valley Community College
Position: Point Guard
Height: 5'7"

Grace is a high-character student-athlete and a big-minutes point guard. After a dynamite high school career and plenty of wins with the Teton Timberwolves, Grace joined Treasure Valley CC in Ontario, Oregon. She started all 29 games for the Chukars in the 2025-26 and helped lead them to the NWAC postseason. Grace topped her team with 5.5 assists per game and her total of 159 assists was good for second overall in the conference. She also led her team in steals (2.1/game), finished second in rebounding (5.6/game), knocked down 37% of her shots, and finished sixth in the NWAC in assist to turnover ratio.

Head coach Luke Holmes said that Grace's presence on and off the floor will be felt right away. "She's a quick guard who anticipates the play well and loves to set up her teammates for open looks while also being able to score a bit herself," he said. "She captained her team for two years in the NWAC and with that experience she will bring a positive leadership component to our squad. We're excited to add a skilled, hardworking, and positive player to the Mariner family!"

For more information, contact VIU women's basketball head coach Luke Holmes or VIU Communications and Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.