This weekend will be a special one for Brandon University athletics.
A few athletes and the 2008-2009 men's volleyball team are being inducted into the school's Sports Wall of Fame.
Paul Sanderson and Andrew Korol were on that team and they are being recognized. Others being recognized include Becky Birch, Teagan Hunter (athlete category) and Bill Gadd, Daryle McCannell, and Bev Neufeld in the community leader category.
In that 2008-09 season, the Bobcats qualified for their first-ever National Championship, when they beat the UBC Thunderbirds in the Canada West quarterfinal on their home court.
"It's pretty surreal, to be honest, it's super exciting," said Grant Wilson, coach. "We had a special group of guys and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."
Brandon went 10-and-8 that season which gave them fourth place in the conference. They ended up beating UBC 3-0 on night one in the best-of-three. In game two, the teams went to the wire with the Bobcats outlasting the Thunderbirds, 28-30, 25-20, 25-14, 23-25, and 24-22.
"The place was absolutely vibrating on that day and it's a day that I'll never forget," said Wilson. "It was a super intense game and it was really exciting. I don't think anyone involved will ever forget that."
In their first national appearance, they ended up beating McMaster to win the bronze medal.
After making another appearance at the nationals last season and winning the Canada West Championship, Brandon is set to embark on another season this weekend. They will take on the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack. Both games will be played in Brandon on Friday and Saturday. First serve on Friday is set for 7:45 while Saturday things get started at 6:45 p.m.
"Yeah, we're looking forward to it. We have our core back with the exception of two players that graduated," concluded Wilson. "We have some players that are ready to step it up. We're comfortable with the group we have and what roles they will play in."
"We feel we have a pretty competitive group heading in," he added. "Canada West is a grind. There are always four-or-five teams that can not only win the league but nationals as well and we feel we're in that group. We'll roll the dice and see how it goes."
