Bobcat volleyball schedule released for 2017-18

BRANDON – The Bobcats cannot wait to get the ball rolling following the release of the 2017-18 Canada West volleyball schedule on Wednesday.

Longtime local coach Kevin Neufeld will make his debut as interim bench boss with Lee Carter away on sabbatical when the season starts in late October. On the men’s side, BU coach Grant Wilson will try to keep his program pushing forward following a playoff appearance last season.

Quick facts:

• The Bobcats will play 11 home dates and 13 on the road
• New conference playoff format
• Afternoon games for school groups on February 9
• Home games to be broadcast on WCGtv
• Canada West has partnered with Yare Media to revamp Canada West TV

Brandon begins their schedule with a road trip on October 20 to meet provincial rival the Manitoba Bisons. The Bobcats first home matches will come on October 27 when they welcome the Saskatchewan Huskies. First serve for the women’s match is 6 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:45 p.m. at the Healthy Living Centre.

“It is exciting to see the schedule because being able to play at that elite level is the highlight for everyone,” said Neufeld. “Our players and coaching staff are looking forward to the long grinding season and it is really important that we get some wins early on.”

The Trinity Western Spartans, Winnipeg Wesmen, UBC Okanagan Heat, MacEwan Griffins and Mount Royal Cougars will also travel to Brandon to battle the Bobcats. The men’s matches on November 10-11 against Trinity Western will see BU go up against the defending U SPORTS national champions. Meanwhile, Brandon will be in matinee action on February 9 against the Cougars, giving school groups the chance to catch the Bobcats in action.

“The season is always a grind from start to finish and we are excited for what the 2017-18 schedule has in store for us,” said Wilson. “The matinees against Mount Royal are certainly a highlight and we hope to see a lot of schools attend to cheer us on. Those matches could be simply electrifying if everything falls into place.”

BU Athletics will proudly team up with Westman Communications Group once again to broadcast all homes on WCGtv Channel 12. You can also keep tabs on the Bobcats through www.canadawest.tv with live stats and video. The conference has partnered with Yare Media to develop a revamped Canada West TV for all fans to enjoy on their computer, tablet or smartphone device.

Meanwhile, the number of Canada West playoff berths has increased from seven to eight teams. There is also a new post-season format. The Final Four tournament has been replaced with a single conference championship match, ensuring a host team will vie for the title.

Bobcat season tickets and flex packs will go on sale in September.

IMPORTANT DATES:
October 20 – Season opener on the road at Manitoba
October 27 – Home-opener against Saskatchewan
December 1 – Final home game of first half of season against Winnipeg
February 10 – Final regular season home game against Mount Royal
February 22-25  – Canada West Quarter-Finals (Location TBD)
March 1-4 – Canada West Semifinals (Location TBD)
March 9 or 10 – Canada West Final (Location TBD)
March 15-18 – U SPORTS Men’s National Championship (at MacMaster)
March 15-18 – U SPORTS Women’s National Championship (at Laval)