The Dalhousie Tigers were crowed 2018 Excalibur Classic champions on Sunday afternoon after a straight-sets victory over the Western Mustangs in the championship final at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
 
It was Dalhousie's first title at the tournament since winning their second of back-to-back trophies in 2009.
 
Rounding out the podium was the defending champion Nipissing Lakers, who claimed the bronze medal with a 3-1 win over the Fanshawe Falcons. The host Lions went 1-3 in Pool A to finish out of the medal round.
 
"The 39^th annual Excalibur Classic was an incredible success," said Lions head coach Michael Wahbi about the tournament. "Last year we had just four teams competing and this year we had 10. The jump in participation shows the commitment to excellence and I truly look forward to making our 40^th year something special next January."
 
The Tigers went undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all four of their round-robin matches over the Falcons, Queen's Gaels, Windsor Lancers and Lions. After a tough first day in which they played a pair of five-setters, they dropped only one set the rest of the way en route to a first-place finish in Pool A and then the gold medal.
 
The Mustangs advanced to the final with a first-place result in Pool B. They went 3-1 in the round-robin, defeating Humber in straight sets and Nipissing and Toronto by the same 3-1 score. They were also defeated by Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
 
All 10 teams will now return to their conference regular-seasons next weekend. The Lions will be back on home court on Saturday and Sunday to face the Gaels and RMC Paladins, respectively. The first match will be Saturday at 2pm, followed by Sunday's contest at 4pm.
 
 SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Download full schedule (.pdf)

Friday, Jan. 5 (Round 1)
Game 1 - 12pm	Dalhousie 3 vs. Fanshawe 2
Game 2 - 12pm	St. Jean 1 vs. Nipissing 3
Game 3 - 2pm	Windsor 3 vs. Queen's 1
Game 4 - 2pm	Western 3 vs. Humber 0
Game 5 - 4pm	York 2 vs. Fanshawe 3
Game 6 - 4pm	Toronto 2 vs. Nipissing 3
Game 7 - 6pm	Dalhousie 3 vs. Queen's 2
Game 8 - 6pm	St. Jean 1 vs. Humber 3
Game 9 - 8pm	York 0 vs. Windsor 3
Game 10 - 8pm	Toronto 1 vs. Western 3

Saturday, Jan. 6 (Round 2)
Game 11 - 10am	York 3 vs. Queen's 0
Game 12 - 10am	Toronto 3 vs. Humber 1
Game 13 - 12pm	Windsor 1 vs. Dalhousie 3
Game 14 - 12pm	Western 1 vs. St. Jean 3
Game 15 - 2pm	Fanshawe 2 vs. Queen's 3
Game 16 - 2pm	Humber 0 vs. Nipissing 3
Game 17 - 4pm	Dalhousie 3 vs. York 0
Game 18 - 4pm	St. Jean 3 vs. Toronto 2
Game 19 - 6pm	Fanshawe 3 vs. Windsor 1
Game 20 - 6pm	Nipissing 1 vs. Western 3

Sunday, Jan. 7 (Championship Day)
Game 21 - 11am	Bronze - Fanshawe 1 vs. Nipissing 3
Game 22 - 2pm	Gold - Dalhousie 3 vs. Western 0

PAST CHAMPIONS
2018 Dalhousie
2017 Nipissing
2016 York
2015 Western
2014 Laval
2013 Ryerson
2012 Western
2011 Western
2010 Laval
2009 Dalhousie
2008 Dalhousie
2007 Manitoba
2006 Manitoba
2005 Ryerson
2004 Ryerson
2003 Laval
2002 Queen's
2001 Toronto
2000 Trinity Western
1999 Queen's
1998 Tskuba (Japan)
1997 Sherbrooke
1996 Laval
1995 Manitoba
1994 Laval
1993 Montreal
1992 McMaster
1991 Calgary
1990 Manitoba
1989 York
1988 Penn State
1987 Winnipeg
1986 Penn State
1985 Manitoba
1984 Ball State
1983 Manitoba
1982 Alberta
1981 Penn State
1980 Penn State