MVB: U of G Set to Host Premier Preseason Men's Volleyball Tournament

GUELPH – Many of the most elite men's volleyball programs in U SPORTS are on their way to Guelph next month. The inaugural Guelph Men's Volleyball Invitational preseason tournament, scheduled for October 6-8, will feature some of the very best teams in the country, with the dynamic new Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre providing the perfect stage.

It's a gathering of Canadian university volleyball royalty. The six-team event includes two-time defending U SPORTS champion Trinity Western Spartans, the Alberta Golden Bears (champions in 2013/14 and 2014/15), Laval Rouge et Or (champions in 2012/13), as well as OUA powerhouses the Waterloo Warriors and Queen's Gaels.

"This is a great opportunity to host some of the top teams in Canada and showcase our new building," said Cal Wigston, coach of the Gryphons, who made it to the OUA Final Four last season. "We will get to test ourselves and see where we are at against these excellent programs."

Wigston was eager to have Guelph host an event and when he started floating the idea around to other schools back in May, the response was overwhelmingly positive. The Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre has the potential to eventually host championship tournament so the preseason event will be a welcome addition to the schedule, as well as a great chance to promote the growing game.

"Ontario is a real hotbed for volleyball right now," said Wigston. "It hasn't always been one. This tournament will be a chance for young players to come out and watch some great competition in our home building."

"It's exciting to have an event like this with so many top volleyball programs attending," added Gryphons' Athletic Director Scott McRoberts. "We have created the infrastructure on campus for exactly these reasons.

"It will be a fantastic tournament."

POOL A
Guelph Gryphons
Waterloo Warriors
Queen's Gaels

POOL B
Trinity Western Spartans
Alberta Golden Bears
Laval Rouge et Or

SCHEDULE OF PLAY (official matches)

Friday, October 6th:
4pm - Waterloo vs Alberta
6pm - Queen's vs Laval
8pm - Guelph vs Trinity Western

Saturday, October 7th:
4pm - Waterloo vs Laval
6pm - Queen's vs Trinity Western
8pm - Guelph vs Alberta

Sunday, October 8th:
9am - Queen's vs Alberta
11am - Trinity Western vs Waterloo
1pm - Guelph vs Laval

Unofficial Scrimmages:

Friday, October 6th:
9am - Waterloo vs Laval
11am - TBA vs Trinity Western
1pm - Guelph vs Queen's

Saturday, October 7th:
9am - Trinity Western vs Laval
11am - TBA vs Queen's
1pm - Guelph vs Waterloo

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