Really, the start of a new season is motivation enough.

But this fall, Vancouver Island University men’s volleyball players have drawn added inspiration from a proverb they came across: A Mariner isn’t created by calm seas; a Mariner is created by the storms.

“I keep reminding them about that,” said Chris Densmore, the team’s coach. “Challenge and be challenged.”

The squad knows it’s playing a B.C. Colleges’ Athletic Association schedule that is extremely difficult – there’s so much parity among the province’s men’s programs that no match can be considered an easy win.

After dropping a hard-fought semifinal last year and winning bronze at provincials, the Mariners have a better idea about the stormy seas ahead.

“Those guys that are returning are hungry and have worked hard in the off-season to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Densmore said.

The M’s have helped their cause by bringing in three high-profile veterans for 2009-10.

Ryan Thibault, the team’s most valuable player during its memorable 2006-07 national silver-medal campaign, will be back setting the ball this season. Some of the offensive fireworks will come from rightside Rafal Korkowski and leftside Krzysztof Orman, a duo that Densmore referred to as the “Polish powers.” Korkowski, an assistant coach at VIU last year, is a former CIS national champion with the Manitoba Bisons, while Orman has international beach volleyball experience.

Those three join a core that features power hitter Nigel Proch and middles Carson Kauenhowen, Lee Hamilton and Kevin Basinger.

The Mariners plan to challenge themselves with an aggressive style and it all starts with serves.

“Missing a whole bunch of serves now is fine – we have to be aggressive with it,” Densmore said. “I want [players] to be ripping on the ball.”

Aggressive serving will force opponents into tough situations, Kauenhowen said, and set up the rest of the Mariners’ game.

“As long as we stay disciplined on our side defensively, we’re going to be able to get the ball up and attack well,” Kauenhowen said.

The co-captain said after starting the schedule with a bye week last week, the team is ready to go.

“We’ve waited extra long and I think we’re going to come out with a lot of fire,” Kauenhowen said.

GAME ON … The M’s play Fraser Valley Friday (Nov. 6) at 8 p.m. at the VIU gym.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com