Mariners close a great learning experience in Baja California

TIJUANA, Mexico, January 4, 2014 - For more than one week The Mariners, the Vancouver Island University Men’s Volleyball Team held a training camp with high expectations and great learning experiences, according to head coach Abery Avender.

The Mariners played their final scrimmage matches at the Baja California High Performance Center Multipurpose Gym against the Baja California team. In the last one, the Canadians won in straight sets 30-28, 25-22, 25-21 against the Local State Elite Team.

"Facilities are great and so the weather and the atmosphere We noticed that since the time of our arrival," said Avender. “We had the chance to be at the court and also in the swimming pool, and tried to get the best of this stay.”

The head coach also remarked that this camp abroad is part of their preparation for their second semester at the Pacific Western Athletic Association Season. The circuit is part of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) that works similar to the U.S. NCAA model.

With such a caliber team like VIU, the training camp was also a great preparation stage for the Baja California Junior and Elite squads that started their concentration process for the 2014 Junior Olympic Championships that will take place in four months from now.

The exchange was possible thanks to a joint effort by the Norceca Volleyball Confederation and the FIVB Development Center, with the support of the Baja California Sports Institute.

This has not been the first time a Canadian squad practices and plays at The CAR considering that previously in 2009 The Canadian Women's Senior National Team coached by German Arnd Ludwig participated at The Norceca Final Qualification Round For The 2010 FIVB World Championships.

The Canadian Women clinched a berth to the World Championship played in Japan. 

Later on, more female teams from The Maple Leaf Country competed in additional Norceca and Pan American tournaments, in Senior and Age Group levels, as well as The Olympic Qualifier.

But this time was quite special in many ways. The VIU players received the 2014 Year training. For most of the players this was their first time living such experience, like Wayne Nicholas Hendrickson who took back home a Mexican flag autographed by the Baja Californian players.

Players also had a day off on January 1st to take a tour around the Baja California and California Border Beach zone as well as downtown Tijuana.

“We had a competition break in December and we will return to play the rest of our season, for me it was wonderful to practice here at my hometown,” said Diego Bustos, who was part of the Baja California State Athletic Program and after finishing his period of eligibility for the National Junior Olympics began to play at the Junior College Level in Grossmont, California, before transferring to British Columbia and started to study in Canada.

Bustos and the Mariners will play their first match of the Pac West Season Second Semester Round on January 10 when they receive Douglas University.