Women's Volleyball Signings: Aimee Skinner and Lauren Hoard

NANAIMO - The four-time CCAA defending national champion women's volleyball team is proud to announce the signing of two standout outside hitters/middle blockers from the Okanagan: Lauren Hoard and Aimee Skinner.

Lauren Hoard - 6'1" - Vernon, BC

Photo from Vernon Firehawks - Facebook

Hoard, a Grade 12 student at Vernon Secondary School, played for Team BC's U17 squad this summer and competed in the Canada Cup in Calgary. Her club team, the Vernon Firehawks, won gold at the 2022 Volleyball BC U17 Girls provincial championship.

A multi-sport athlete who also excels on the basketball court, Hoard is aiming to study science and criminolgy at VIU while embracing the move to Nanaimo as a homecoming.

"I am interested in attending and playing for VIU because of the great volleyball program that it offers, the winning tradition it is known for, and the well respected schooling program I am pursuing," Hoard said in an e-mailed statement. "Coach Hyde and the team were so welcoming when I visited and practiced with them, which meant so much to me. I was also born in Nanaimo and have always wanted to move back to Vancouver Island, so VIU was the perfect fit for me."

Aimee Skinner - 5'11" - Clearwater, BC

Photo from Vernon Firehawks - Facebook

A teammate of Hoard's on the Vernon Firehawks and the MVP of the 2022 provincial club championship, Skinner attends Kalamalka Secondary School in Coldstream. She is also an excellent hockey player but will bring her considerable volleyball talents to the forefront when graduating from the Kalamalka Lakers to the VIU Mariners.

"I am very excited to be attending and playing volleyball at VIU because the school provides a great kinesiology program for my future and Shane runs a very good volleyball program that has shown great success over the years," Skinner said. "I am also excited to experience island life!" 

For more information, please contact VIU women's volleyball head coach Shane Hyde.