The road to the Canada West Final Four heads through the Healthy Living Centre this week.
The second-ranked Brandon University women’s volleyball team is hosting a first round series for the first time in four years when they welcome the UBC Okanagan Heat.
"In my first year when we hosted, it was a big deal, but it was my first year so I kind of thought that’s what was supposed to happen and then the last two years we didn’t make it. That’s why I think it’s harder to keep a level head because we haven’t played very well the last two years, so this year it’s like ‘holy we’re actually doing really good’," fourth-year middle Meaghan Robertson told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston.
The Lady ‘Cats were 9-2 at the HLC and 17-5 overall to finish in second-place in the conference.
That overall record is the best the team has posted in the program’s nine year history.
"I think that it does give us some confidence and just some comfort being at home because we’ve done so well at home in the past. We’re comfortable here and we’ve got all our routines every day," said fourth-year outside hitter Victoria Dakin. "Every team always gives us a good push, especially when you’re ranked in the top three so we have to be ready. We know they’re a good team and I think we’ll be ready for sure."
Match #1 goes Thursday night at 7 p.m. and you can catch the contest on WCG-TV or on canadawest.tv.
Meanwhile, the BU men’s team is putting past results in the rearview mirror as they hit the road for the opening round.
The defending Canada West champions secured the seventh and final playoff spot through a tiebreaker after going 10-12 during the regular season.
"We’ve been one of those teams over the last couple of years that as soon as we make playoffs we’re the most hated team in the league. No one wants to play us. They all know that now that something is riding on it we come out and play our best," said co-captain and fourth-year middle Brendan White. "Quietly confident and I think everyone else is and we just got to go out and do our job."
Brandon begins their best-of-three series in Vancouver on Thursday night against the UBC Thunderbirds.
The Bobcats had little luck on the road during the regular season going 1-10 and lost in four and straight sets against the T-Birds in January.
"We’re hoping that we can go there and feel comfortable because that’s where we did play this year and guys seemed to like that gym. Hopefully being on the road is not a factor," said coach Grant Wilson. "As we told the guys, the reality of it is the pressures really on them. They’re the second-seed, they’re the ones at home, and they’re the ones that are supposed to win. We feel that we just to need to go in there and play hard and play loose."
