Image Credit: UBCO
October 28, 2016 - 10:41 AM
NEW WESTMINSTER – Coming off Canada West and national championships in 2015-16, expectations are once again high for the Trinity Western Spartans men's volleyball squad.
The defending champions open their title defence on the road against the Regina Cougars this Friday, as the 2016-17 Canada West regular season begins.
Trinity Western is primed for another big season in the nation's most competitive conference, but despite being the reigning conference and national champions, the Spartans aren't the favourites to repeat this season.
COMPLETE 2016-17 MEN'S SCHEDULE
The Alberta Golden Bears edged out TWU by the slimmest of margins in the annual pre-season coaches poll, as the Bears – who went 23-1 during the regular season a year ago – earned first in the conference poll released Wednesday with 138 points compared to TWU's 137-point total.
That in itself shows how tight the race for first should be this season, in addition to the jockeying across the rest of the standings spectrum in a conference that saw five teams win 15 or more regular season games in 2015-16.
With the deepest field of teams of any conference across the country, it's fitting that four Canada West teams will make their way to the national tournament this March 10-11, as the Bears get set to welcome the event back to Edmonton for the first time since 2009.
There will be no shortage of deserving teams looking to make a trip to nationals, as five Canada West teams open the season inside the U Sports top 10 (No. 1 Alberta, No. 2 TWU, No. 4 Manitoba, No. 5 Calgary, No. 8 Saskatchewan, No. 9 Mount Royal).
For a complete look at each men's team, check out the team previews below.
Once again this season, viewers will be able to watch every men's volleyball regular season and playoff game on CanadaWest.tv with a conference volleyball pass for only $30 CAD.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016