BRANDON – The Bobcat volleyball teams will begin the 2019-20 regular season in the friendly confines of the Healthy Living Centre.

Canada West officially released the conference schedule on Monday with opening night featuring BU welcoming the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Friday, October 18.
 
Last season, the Bobcat men's team won the league championship and a U SPORTS national silver medal after finishing in first-place in the regular season at 20-and-2. On the women's side, BU had a record of 5-and-19.

"It was a special run for our team last season and home court success played a huge role in that," said BU men's coach Grant Wilson. "We look forward to the challenge of defending the title and the HLC is a great place to start that journey."
 
Quick facts:

• Home games to be broadcast on WCGtv
• Watch all Bobcat games on www.canadawest.tv

The Winnipeg Wesmen, Mount Royal Cougars, UBC Okanagan Heat, Alberta Golden Bears/Pandas, Regina Cougars and Manitoba Bisons will also travel to Brandon to battle the Bobcats.
 
Meanwhile, road trips for the Bobcats include showdowns against the defending national champions. The BU men's team will take on the Trinity Western Spartans on January 31-February 1 in a rematch of last season's U SPORTS final. On the women's side, Brandon meets the UBC Thunderbirds on February 14-15 to cap off the regular season schedule.

"The Canada West schedule being released makes one realize how quickly the off-season is coming to an end.  We hope it reignites the commitment the team made to improving our individual goals for next season" said BU women's coach Lee Carter. "We start the season with tough home matches against the WolfPack and close it out with tough road contests against the T-Birds. We look forward to meeting that task head on and look to return to the playoffs."

IMPORTANT DATES:
October 18: Season opener at home against Thompson Rivers
November 30: Final home matches of first half against UBCO
January 3-4: Women's home matches only versus Alberta (start of 2^nd half)
January 10-11: Women's home matches versus Regina; men's home matches versus Alberta
February 8: Final regular season home matches against Manitoba
February 21-23: Canada West Quarter-Finals (Location TBD)
February 28-March 1: Canada West Semifinals (Location TBD)
March 7: Canada West Final (Location TBD)
March 14-17: U SPORTS Men's National Championship (at Manitoba)
March 14-17: U SPORTS Women's National Championship (at Calgary)