McMaster receives third seed for CIS Men's Volleyball Championship, Western seventh
OTTAWA (CIS) – For the first time since they joined Canada West in men’s volleyball in 2005-06, the Brandon University Bobcats have been established tournament favourite for the CIS championship.
The seeding was announced Monday for the 2013 competition, presented by Rogers, which kicks off Friday in Quebec City. The eight-team tourney culminates on Sunday with the Tantramar Trophy final at 4:30 p.m.
All 11 matches will be webcast live on www.CIS-SIC.tv.
Rounding out the seeding are the reigning two-time national champion Trinity Western Spartans (Canada West finalists), No. 3 McMaster Marauders (OUA champions), No. 4 Alberta Golden Bears (Canada West bronze medallists), No. 5 and host Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champs), No. 6 UNB Varsity Reds (AUS champs), No. 7 Western Mustangs (OUA finalists) and No. 8 Montreal Carabins (RSEQ finalists)
The Bobcats settled for sixth place during the Canada West regular season but were a perfect 4-0 in the playoffs against three of the top six teams in the country – including top-ranked Alberta and defending champ Trinity Western - en route to claiming their first-ever conference banner.
Brandon is the fifth different team in five years to earn No. 1 status for the CIS tournament, following Trinity Western (2012), Calgary (2011), Laval (2010) and Alberta (2009).
Canada West schools (including the defunct Great Plains conference) have dominated CIS men’s volleyball for almost two decades, winning 18 straight titles since Laval triumphed in 1994.
The Spartans hope to become only the second program in history to claim three consecutive Tantramar Trophies. Winnipeg won four straight from 1971 to 1974.
Trinity Western opens its title defense Friday at 2:30 p.m. against Western in the second quart-final of opening day. The other first-round match-ups will see McMaster take on UNB in the opener at 12:30 p.m., top-ranked Brandon face Montreal at 6 p.m., and Alberta battle host Laval at 8 p.m.
In addition to the three-time champion Spartans, Alberta (6), Laval (3) and Montreal (1) have hoisted the Tantramar Trophy in the past. McMaster, Brandon, UNB and Western are all looking for their first CIS title.
NOTE: A complete championship preview will follow on Tuesday.
CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/
SEEDING
1. Brandon Bobcats (CWUAA champions: 13-9 regular season / 4-0 playoffs)
2. Trinity Western Spartans (CWUAA finalists: 16-6 regular season / 3-1 playoffs)
3. McMaster Marauders (OUA champions: 17-1 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
4. Alberta Golden Bears (CWUAA bronze medallists: 20-2 regular season / 1-1
playoffs)
5. Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champions: 17-0 regular season / 2-1 playoffs)
6. UNB Varsity Reds (AUS champions: 10-7 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
7. Western Mustangs (OUA finalists: 13-5 regular season / 2-1 playoffs)
8. Montreal Carabins (RSEQ finalists: 6-11 regular season / 3-3 playoffs)
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, February 27
18:00 All-Canadian Awards Banquet (Universel Hotel)
Friday, March 1
12:30 Quarter-final #1: No. 6 UNB vs. No. 3 McMaster (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
14:30 Quarter-final #2: No. 7 Western vs. No. 2 Trinity Western (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
18:00 Quarter-final #3: No. 8 Montreal vs. No. 1 Brandon (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
20:00 Quarter-final #4: No. 5 Laval vs. No. 4 Alberta (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
Saturday, March 2
12:30 Consolation #1: Loser QF #1 vs. Loser QF #2 (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
14:30 Consolation #2: Loser QF #3 vs. Loser QF #4 (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
18:00 Semifinal #1: Winner QF #1 vs. Winner QF #2 (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
20:00 Semifinal #2: Winner QF #3 vs. Winner QF #4 (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
Sunday, March 3
11:00 5th place (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
13:00 Bronze medal (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
16:30 Championship final (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
