The Winnipeg Wesmen will enter the national championship as the No. 1-ranked team in the country. 

The champions of the Canada West conference will enter the men's volleyball championship tournament next week as the No. 1 seed it was announced Wednesday as U Sports unveiled the full eight-team bracket.

The Wesmen will face the host Brandon Bobcats in a first-round match at 6 p.m. March 21 as the tournament gets underway at BU's Healthy Living Centre. 

The Wesmen defeated the previously No. 1-ranked Alberta Golden Bears in the conference championship on Saturday and jumped from No. 2 in the country to the top spot just in time for the eight-team nationals. 

Winnipeg split its matches with Brandon last month at the HLC, with the Wesmen sweeping on Feb. 7 and Brandon winning in four sets the following night. 

The Bobcats finished the Canada West season 10-10 and were knocked out of the conference playoffs with a 2-0 series loss to Trinity Western in the best-of-three play-in.

The Wesmen have 10 national championships in program history — tied with Alberta and Manitoba for the most ever — and are seeking their first Tantramar Trophy since 2007. 

With a win over Saskatchewan in last Friday's conference semifinal, Winnipeg qualified for its first national tournament since 2009 under first-year head coach, and Canada West coach of the year, Chris Voth.

Tournament passes are available and Wesmen fans looking to travel to Brandon to cheer on the Wesmen are advised to buy now as ticket quantities are extremely limited. 
       
        BUY TICKETS

All games at the U Sports nationals will be streamed on CBC'S digital platforms.

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To keep track of everything from the championship tournament, bookmark the U Sports national championship page. 

SEEDINGS

1. Winnipeg Wesmen (CW champions: 17-3, 4-0)
2. Sherbrooke Vert & Or (RSEQ champions: 14-2, 4-0)
3. Alberta Pandas (CW finalists: 16-4, 3-1)
4. Queen's Gaels (OUA champions: 15-5, 3-0)
5. Saskatchewan Huskies (CW bronze medallists: 14-6, 3-2)
6. Windsor Lancers (OUA finalists: 18-2, 2-1)
7. Western Mustangs (OUA bronze medallists: 10-10, 2-1)
8. Brandon Bobcats (host: 10-10, 0-2)

SCHEDULE (all times CT)

• Noon: No. 7 Western vs. No. 2 Sherbrooke
• 2 p.m.: No. 6 Windsor vs. No. 3 Alberta
• 6 p.m.: No. 1 Winnipeg at No. 8 Brandon
• 8 p.m.: No. 5 Saskatchewan at No. 4 Queen's