OTTAWA (March 8, 2010) – The Queen's Gaels men's volleyball team will be the fifth seed at the upcoming CIS Championship, hosted by Thompson Rivers University.

The Gaels, who defeated the Guelph Gryphons in the OUA Championship to earn their berth, will take on the fourth seed Trinity Western Spartans in their opening match on Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm Pacific Time. The Spartans were the Canada West finalists as they lost to the second seed and reigning two-time CIS Champions the Alberta Golden Bears.

SSN Canada will have live webcasts of all main-bracket duels, including the bronze-medal match.

Rounding out the seedings are No. 1 Laval Rouge et Or, No. 3 Dalhousie Tigers (AUS champions), No. 6 Calgary Dinos (Canada West bronze medallists), No. 7 Thompson Rivers WolfPack (championship hosts), and No. 8 Montreal Carabins (QSSF finalists).

Top-ranked Laval takes the court against Quebec rival Montreal Friday at 1 p.m. in the tournament opener, while Alberta begins its title defence versus Canada West foe Thompson Rivers in the third quarter-final duel, at 6 p.m.

The other first-round match-ups pits Dalhousie against Calgary at 8 p.m.

The CIS all-Canadians and major award winners will be unveiled at a banquet on Wednesday evening.

Note: A complete championship preview will follow on Tuesday.

SEEDINGS

1. Laval Rouge et Or (QSSF champions: 18-0 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
2. Alberta Golden Bears (CWUAA champions: 14-4 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
3. Dalhousie Tigers (AUS champions: 16-2 regular season / 2-0 playoffs)
4. Trinity Western Spartans (CWUAA finalists: 11-7 regular season / 3-2 playoffs)
5. Queen's Gaels (OUA champions: 16-4 regular season / 3-0 playoffs)
6. Calgary Dinos (CWUAA bronze medallists: 13-5 regular season / 3-1 playoffs)
7. Thompson Rivers WolfPack (Hosts: 10-8 regular season / 2-3 playoffs)
8. Montreal Carabins (QSSF finalists: 9-9 regular season / 2-2 playoffs)

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE (all times LOCAL: Pacific Time)

Wednesday, March 10

18:00 All-Canadian Banquet (TRU Grand Hall)

Friday, March 12

13:00 Quarter-final #1: No. 1 Laval vs. No. 8 Montreal (SSN Canada)
15:00 Quarter-final #2: No. 4 Trinity Western vs. No. 5 Queen's (SSN Canada)
18:00 Quarter-final #3: No. 2 Alberta vs. No. 7 Thompson Rivers (SSN Canada)
20:00 Quarter-final #4: No. 3 Dalhousie vs. No. 6 Calgary (SSN Canada)

Saturday, March 13

13:00 Consolation #1: Loser QF #1 vs. Loser QF #2
15:00 Consolation #2: Loser QF #3 vs. Loser QF #4
18:00 Semi-final #1: Winner QF #1 vs. Winner QF #2 (SSN Canada)
20:00 Semi-final #2: Winner QF #3 vs. Winner QF #4 (SSN Canada)

Sunday, March 14

13:00 5th place
15:00 Bronze medal (SSN Canada)
18:00 Championship final (SSN Canada) 

- with files from the CIS