QUEBEC CITY – The No. 1 ranked Bobcats began the 2019 U SPORTS men's volleyball championship in convincing fashion, beating the Montréal Carabins 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-23) Friday afternoon at Université Laval.
The Bobcats opened the tournament with the first quarter-final match of the day and with the win move to the championship side of the bracket.
The Bobcats went to work early Friday afternoon, starting the match with a massive block from fourth-year outside
Seth Friesen to set the tone. Brandon then ran away with the set hitting at a blistering .696 clip in the frame.
Montreal showed increasing fight as the match wore on but could not slow down the Bobcat offence nor find away around Brandon's defensive play at the net.
Entering the tournament as the No. 1 seed often comes with increased pressure, but coach
Grant Wilson said that thought had not crossed their minds.
"Our team hasn't talked about the number one ranking. We're not concerned about the number one ranking. Our goal is to just get better every time we step on the court," said Wilson.
"I think playing in Canada West somewhat prepares you for that. Our guys were focused on the right things and that gave us the best opportunity for success here today."
Gabriel Chancy was selected as Montréal's player of the game thanks to his team-high 32 assists and match-high three aces.
Brandon was led by rookie outside
Robin Baghdady's 11 kills. The 6-foot-9 attacker was chosen as the Bobcats player of the match.
"We just stayed calm and focused," said Baghdady. "We had these situations a lot this season… and we just stayed calm and everybody is believing in everybody."
The kill distribution was textbook as Friesen finished with 10 kills to go with four blocks and six digs while
James Weir,
Elliott Viles and
Mason Metcalf all finished with eight.
The offensive attack was effective thanks to
Reece Dixon's distribution as the fourth-year setter finished with 39 assists.
Brady Nault had a team-high nine digs while Viles and Metcalf led all players with five blocks each.
"Grant instills in us that we play every point like it's the same," said Nault.
"We were just focused on our jobs and came in and played comfortable like we usually do. We knew they were going to come out firing and with nothing to lose… but we hung in there, stuck with it and got the job done."
The Bobcats now prepare to take on Canada West foe the Alberta Golden Bears in Saturday's semi-final. First serve is 6 p.m. EST (5 p.m. CST).
The Bobcats swept the regular season weekend series against Alberta back in January.
The match can be seen live for free at Brandon University's Harvest Hall (cafeteria) or online at
www.usports.live.
