CHARLOTTETOWN - The St. Clair College men's volleyball team arrived in Charlottetown, P.E.I., on Tuesday night to compete in the CCAA national championship. The event is being hosted by Holland College from March 12-14.

The Saints qualified for the championship by earning a wildcard after winning silver at the OCAA championship which they hosted at the Sportsplex from Feb. 27 to March 1. Niagara College won the gold and will also be representing the OCAA. The silver medal was history making for St. Clair as it is the first-ever medal won by the men's volleyball program.

St. Clair has drawn the fifth seed out of the eight teams participating. The tournament's two wildcard teams meet up in the this pairing. The defending national champion Red Deer Kings are back to defend their title, led by player of the year candidate and all-Canadian Luke Brisbane. Red Deer (21-3) was defeated in a five-set final by Augustana at the ACAC championship. The Saints (12-6) defeated Humber in the semi-finals before falling to Niagara in the OCAA championship game.

Leading the way for St. Clair is OCAA player of the year and all-Canadian Jason Hernandez. The Saints will also be looking for big contributions from middles Travis Wigle (OCAA second-team all-star) and Peter Christian.

St. Clair head coach Rob Lynch knows the Saints have their work cut out for them. "Red Deer is great team. We will have to play our best to beat them," stated Lynch. "This is a great opportunity for our student athletes and for St. Clair College. We are excited to represent the college at this prestigious event and are confident we can make a strong showing.

The Saints will be taking on the Kings at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Championship Website: www.ccaa.ca/national-championship-s15090

Championship Webcast: sportscanada.tv/ccaa/index.php/volleyball/2015mvb

Source: St. Clair College