The Brandon University Bobcats won the Canadian University men’s volleyball championship on Sunday. In the championship game, they defeated the University of Alberta Golden Bears 25-20, 22-25, 28-26, 25-17 at the University Healthy Living Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. In winning the national title, the Bobcats won the Trantramar Trophy.
This was the first university men’s volleyball championship for Brandon University. The school has won four national university championships in men’s basketball. Those titles came in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1996.
This was the first time that Brandon University has hosted the Canadian University Men’s Volleyball Championship. They were initially awarded the 2021 national championship, but it was cancelled due to Coronavirus.
The Bobcats definitely had home court advantage. The majority of the crowd were supporting Brandon. One creative sign stated “Silver Bears.” Brandon’s win over Alberta was considered an upset as Brandon was the eighth seed and Alberta was the third seed. Brandon also upset the number one seed University of Winnipeg Wesmen three sets to none in the quarterfinals.
Four Bobcats players reached double digits in kills against the Golden Bears. They were outside hitter Liam Pauls of Balmoral, Manitoba (12 kills), outside hitter Riley Grusing of Bragg Creek, Alberta (11 kills), outside hitter Tom Friesen of Reinfeld, Manitoba (10 kills) and middle Philipp Lauter (10 kills).
