Bobcats go the distance to edge Huskies, will play for first national title

The Brandon Bobcats will play for a national championship at home. 

Liam Pauls and Riley Grusing each had 18 kills apiece and combined for 15 digs as the No.8 and host Bobcats came back from two sets down to stun the No. 5 Saskatchewan Huskies 3-2 in the first semifinal of the 2025 U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship Presented by Sunrise Credit Union at the Healthy Living Centre Gymnasium. 

Pauls also added a trio of aces and Tom Friesen had 10 kills and six digs, as the Bobcats advanced to the gold medal game with the victory (21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-10) for just the third time and first since 2019, seeking their first-ever national title.

Jefferson Morrow, Emmett Graham, Isaiah Mamer and Jacob Baird teamed up for 43 kills and 29 digs for the Huskies, while Noah Opseth had 40 assists and seven digs in a losing cause.  

Brandon recorded a .336 hitting percentage in the match, compared to Saskatchewan's .211

With the win, Brandon will play the winner of the second semifinal between Alberta and Sherbrooke on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT, while Saskatchewan will play the loser of that match for bronze at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT. 

Mikasa Players of the Game

Saskatchewan: Jefferson Morrow

Brandon: Liam Pauls