The Underdogs Bite Back
Mariners take down top seeded Capilano and win the 2026 PACWEST conference championship
Game recap courtesy the PACWEST
VIU Mariners 3
Capilano Blues 2
For the 20th time the VIU Mariners are champions of women's volleyball after a thrilling five-set win over the Capilano Blues on Saturday night.
The Mariners jumped out to a big lead, stunning the top seeded Blues with set wins of 25-22 and 25-17 and found themselves in the driver's seat. Lauren Hoard was tremendous on the offensive side and set the tone early on. As the match progressed, setter Edan Wade started to move the ball around getting Grace Brisebois and Regan Ingram involved giving the Blues block defence all sorts of problems.
In the third set the Blues showed why they were the top team in the nation with a convincing 25-11 win to cut the Mariners lead in half. Sibby Bos and Natalie Rourke found their lanes in the middle and Annika Kuznik kept her team in it. With the momentum on their side heading into the fourth Nnya Mbaoma became a factor and helped balance the Blues attack finishing with 14 kills. The PACWEST Player of the Year Abby Betker was consistent as well with 14 kills and helped the Blues to even the match with a 25-23 fourth set victory to force a decisive fifth set.
In the fifth the Mariners came out strong and took an 8-4 lead at the break. They kept on the gas and took the set and the match 15-7 to win gold.
VIU Mariners women's volleyball: 2025-26 PACWEST Conference champions. Photo courtesy Jonathan Goldschmidt / Columbia Bible College / PACWEST
Hoard finished with 14 kills, Ingram with 11 and Brisebois had 10. Libero Jordy Exner was named the Player of the Match as she steadied the backcourt and the defence.
Bos was named the Blues' Player of the Match with 10 kills from her middle position.
The Mariners will now represent the Conference at the CCAA national championship in Manitoba in two weeks.
Following the gold match, the tournament All-Stars and MVP were announced.
All-Stars
Photo: Jonathan Goldschmidt
Mogan Boisvert – Douglas Royals
Erica Bolink – Camosun Chargers
Nnya Mbaoma – Capilano Blues
Sibby Bos – Capilano Blues
Tournament MVP – Regan Ingram – VIU Mariners
Lauren Hoard – VIU Mariners
Jordy Exner – VIU Mariners