BRANDON, Man. (CIS) – Even though it wasn't the match they wanted to be in, the Montreal Carabins were happy with the way they finished the CIS Women's Volleyball Championship.

The Carabins, who came into the championship seeded fourth, ended up in fifth place, beating the Dalhousie Tigers 25-23, 25-14, 25-19 in the consolation final on Sunday.

After winning the bronze medal last year, the Carabins came to Brandon looking for gold, but a first-round loss to the UBC Thunderbirds bumped them to the consolation side, where they won their last two matches.

"I salute the girls who, after a big disappointment in the quarter-final. Everybody on this team saw a medal, if not gold, and they bounced back with character. They just played well, even if they were in the bottom half of the pool."

In a battle of the Quebec and Atlantic champions, the Carabins were in control the entire match and committed only 13 attack errors.

Marie-Alex Belanger, who made the All-Canadian second team, had 11 kills, while teammate Sarah Gosselin had 10 kills and seven total blocks. Jessica Josenhans had 10 kills for Dalhousie.

Dalhousie head coach Rick Scott was proud of the way his players competed against the Carabins, a team he believes could have won a national title, and sees a bright future for his Tigers as well.

"There's a lot of good teams in the country that aren't here," Scott said. "It takes a lot of work to get here and you've got to play really well to be successful here. For us to be sixth in the country is a great accomplishment and we're really proud of where our program's going."

The UBC Okanagan Heat are playing against the UBC Thunderbirds for the bronze medal. In the championship match, the Trinity Western Spartans will face the Toronto Varsity Blues.

STAT LEADERS

Montreal
Kills: Marie-Alex Belanger (11), Sarah Gosselin (10)
Points: Sarah Gosselin (14), Marie-Alex Belanger (13)
Blocks: Sarah Gosselin (1,6)
Digs: Mikhaella Blanchette (11)
Service aces: Katia Forcier (3)

Player of the match: Alexane L. Joly

Dalhousie
Kills: Jessica Josenhans (10), Courtney Baker (6)
Points: Jessica Josenhans (12.5), Courtney Baker (8.5)
Blocks: Jessica Josenhans (0,3)
Digs: Marisa Mota (7)
Service aces: Abby Czenze (3)

Player of the match: Jessica Josenhans

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE & RESULTS (CENTRAL TIME)

Friday, March 11
12:30 Quarter-final #1: Toronto 3, McGill 2 (18-25, 25-17, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13)
14:30 Quarter-final #2: UBC Okanagan 3, Dalhousie 0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-15)
18:00 Quarter-final #3: Trinity Western 3, Brandon 1 (25-23, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19)
20:00 Quarter-final #4: UBC 3, Montreal 1 (20-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-20)

Saturday, March 12
12:30 Consolation #1: Dalhousie 3, McGill 1 (25-21, 17-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-12)
14:30 Consolation #2: Montreal 3, Brandon 0 (25-15, 28-26, 25-20)
18:00 Semifinal #1: Toronto 3, UBC Okanagan 1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-21)
20:00 Semifinal #2: Trinity Western 3, UBC 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-19)

Sunday, March 13
13:00 5th place: Montreal 3, Dalhousie 0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-19)
15:00 Bronze medal: UBC Okanagan vs. UBC (WCGtv / www.CIS-SIC.tv)
18:00 Championship final: Toronto vs. Trinity Western (WCGtv / www.CIS-SIC.tv)