The names and faces have changed, but the matchup is the same.
Two years after a last-minute cancellation, the Manitoba Bisons once again host the top university men's volleyball talent in the country — beginning Friday, March 25 at Investors Group Athletic Centre on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.
Announced Sunday night by U SPORTS, the draw will once again pit the Herd against the top team in the nation, the Canada West champion Trinity Western Spartans.
First serve between the Bisons and Spartans is at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 25.
Tickets and championship passes are available now.
The draw also features the OUA champion McMaster Marauders and RSEQ winner Sherbrooke Vert & Or. Rounding out the eight-team tournament are the Alberta Golden Bears, Calgary Dinos, Toronto Varsity Blues and Queen's Gaels.
Championship action begins with quarterfinals on Friday, March 25 at 12:30 p.m. as McMaster plays Canada West bronze medallist Calgary. CW runners-up Alberta face OUA bronze winner Queen's at 2:30. After the host Bisons face CW champion Trinity Western, Sherbrooke and OUA runners-up Toronto round out the first day.
The gold medal match is set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 27.
All matches can be watched
on CBC Sports and the CBC Gem app.
For a full tournament preview,
click here.
SEEDING:
1. Trinity Western Spartans (CW champions: 15-1 regular season, 7-0 playoffs)
2. McMaster Marauders (OUA champions: 12-0 regular season, 3-0 playoffs)
3. Alberta Golden Bears (CW finalists: 15-3 regular season, 6-1 playoffs)
4. Toronto Varsity Blues (OUA finalists: 11-1 regular season, 2-1 playoffs)
5. Sherbrooke Vert & Or (RSEQ champions: 8-4 regular season, 4-1 playoffs)
6. Queen's Gaels (OUA bronze medallists: 10-1 regular season, 2-1 playoffs)
7. Calgary Dinos (CW bronze medal: 13-5 regular season, 4-3 playoffs)
8. Manitoba Bisons (Hosts: 7–11 regular season, 1–2 playoffs)
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Friday, March 25
12:30 p.m.: Quarter-final #1—No. 7 Calgary vs. No. 2 McMaster
2:30 p.m.: Quarter-final #2—No. 6 Queen's vs. No. 3 Alberta
6 p.m.: Quarter-final #3—No. 8 Manitoba vs. No. 1 Trinity Western
8 p.m.: Quarter-final #4—No. 5 Sherbrooke vs. No. 4 Toronto
Saturday, March 26
12:30 p.m.: Consolation #1—Loser Quarter-final #1 vs. Loser Quarter-final #2
2:30 p.m.: Consolation #2—Loser Quarter-final #3 vs. Loser Quarter-final #4
6 p.m.: Semifinal #1—Winner Quarter-final #1 vs. Winner Quarter-final #2
8 p.m.: Semifinal #2—Winner Quarter-final #3 vs. Winner Quarter-final #4
Sunday, March 27
11 a.m.: 5
th-place game
1 p.m.: Bronze Medal
4 p.m.: Gold Medal
