Hosting the CIS Women’s Volleyball Nationals is a big coup for Brandon University.
It’s the first time a Canadian University Championship has been hosted in the Wheat City, and the Lady Bobcats are making thei first-ever appearance at the national competition.
BU Athletic Director Russ Paddock is confident things will go smoothly this weekend, and adds that it’s a good chance for them to show what a small university and community can do.
"We want to put on one of the best if not the best event ever. We think for volleyball nationally, the support we have locally will go a long way towards making it that kind of event," said Paddock, "We have hopes to apply for the men’s championship down the road so, to that end, we want to make sure that it’s stuck in everyone’s memory how good of a job we have done."
Most of the teams will arrive in Brandon on Tuesday, with practices taking place on Wednesday.
The official festivities get going on Thursday morning with the CIS All-Canadian Banquet at the Victoria Inn.
The Victoria Inn is one of several key sponsors for the Championship, and Paddock says the support from the community has been tremendous.
"A lot of businesses are involved at various levels that want to see us be successful. Tremendous volunteer interest, and lots of quality people involved there helping us run it," said Paddock, "Ticket sales have been good. We’re not sold out yet, but we have a few more days to sell a few more tickets."
There are 11 matches during the three days of the Championship, with the four quarter-finals taking place on Friday.
The host Bobcats will take on the #1-seeded Trinity Western Spartans, the Canada West champions.
All the matches during the championship will be broadcast locally on WCG-TV.
SEEDING
1. Trinity Western Spartans (CWUAA champions: 20-4 regular season / 4-0 playoffs)
2. Toronto Varsity Blues (OUA champions: 19-0 regular season / 3-0 playoffs)
3. UBC Okanagan Heat (CWUAA finalists: 22-2 regular season / 1-1 playoffs)
4. Montreal Carabins (RSEQ champions: 17-5 regular season / 4-0 playoffs)
5. UBC Thunderbirds (CWUAA bronze medallists: 17-7 regular season / 3-1 playoffs)
6. Dalhousie Tigers (AUS champions: 14-3 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
7. McGill Martlets (RSEQ finalists: 15-7 regular season / 2-3 playoffs)
8. Brandon Bobcats (Hosts: 15-9 regular season / 0-2 playoffs)
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE (all times CST)
Thursday, March 10
8:00 a.m. – All-Canadian Breakfast (Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre)
Friday, March 11
12:30 p.m. – Quarter-final #1: McGill vs. Toronto
2:30 p.m. – Quarter-final #2: Dalhousie vs. UBC Okanagan
6:00 p.m. – Quarter-final #3: Brandon vs. Trinity Western
8:00 p.m. – Quarter-final #4: UBC vs. Montreal
Saturday, March 12
12:30 p.m. – Consolation #1: Loser QF #1 vs. Loser QF #2
2:30 p.m. – Consolation #2: Loser QF #3 vs. Loser QF #4
6:00 p.m. – Semifinal #1: Winner QF #1 vs. Winner QF #2
8:00 p.m. – Semifinal #2: Winner QF #3 vs. Winner QF #4
Sunday, March 13
1:00 p.m. – 5th place
3:00 p.m. – Bronze medal
6:00 p.m. – Championship final
