JJ Love, named after his father Jeremy, has spent four years making his mark with the Brandon Bobcats men's volleyball team. During this time, Jeremy has logged countless kilometers, never missing a chance to cheer his son on.
In his freshman year during the 2021-22 season, JJ played seven sets, notching three assists, one kill, a dig, and one solo block. Moving forward to the following season, JJ's university career took off as the team's setter with 748 assists. JJ was also a force to be reckoned with as an attacker with 60 kills, hitting .330 with nine solo blocks, 14 aces, and 119 digs in 94 sets.
Armed with another year of experience, JJ returned for his third season with the Bobcats and made a statement. Leading the team with 28 aces, JJ posted a career-high 823 assists, proving himself as a floor general. But Love wasn’t just about setting—his 77 kills on a .323 hitting percentage and 147 digs showcased his all-around game. By then, he had solidified himself as one of the top setters in the Canada West conference, blending precision passing with size, smarts, and a knack for turning defense into offense.
JJ helped the Bobcats qualify for the playoffs last year, winning 16 of their 24 games. Unfortunately, it was a short run as they lost two straight matches to the powerhouse Trinity Western Spartans. With a bitter taste in his mouth after that defeat, Love remained focused and put in extra work. The Bobcats were awarded the 2025 U-Sport National Championship, hosted at the Healthy Living Centre last week.
Love was all in, but it was an up-and-down season for the Bobcats in his fourth season. They won 10 of their 20 matches, and while that was enough to qualify for the playoffs, it again was a short-lived postseason for the team as they lost back-to-back matches against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
"We had a younger team this year; we graduated three guys from our very strong team last year," said Love. "Everyone wanted to work hard. Everyone is very strong in Canada West, you have to come to play every night. Everyone put in a ton of effort, and winning 10 games was an accomplishment."
Love continued to stuff the stat sheet with 661 assists, 14 aces, seven solo blocks, 151 digs, and 40 kills in 78 sets. His 151 digs were a career-high.
"I was proud of my play, it could have been better at times, but when it came down to crunch time, my passers passed well and made my job easier," continued Love. "I wouldn't change a thing, it was a good year."
Despite getting swept in the first round of the playoffs, Love and his teammates finished the regular season with three straight wins, one of which came against the eventual Canada West champion, Winnipeg Wesmen. In the back half of a home-set against the Wesmen on February 8, JJ had 31 assists, nine digs, and five kills as the Bobcats pulled off the upset win in four sets.
"Yeah, that was an awesome feeling. Our motto this entire year has been believe," continued Love. "The Wesmen were an outstanding team, but we believed we could get the job done, and that's exactly what we did. It was a big win for our group."
The two longtime provincial rivals would battle again just more than a month later. As the Bobcats hosted the national championship, they were the eighth-ranked team heading into the event, which put them up against the top-ranked Wesmen.
With the home crowd on their side, JJ notched 28 assists, and the Bobcats cruised past the Wesmen in stunning fashion, 25-19, 25-19, and 25-22. It was a win that shocked many in the Canadian volleyball scene, but not Love and his teammates. They had prepared for weeks for this moment, and when it was time for first serve, they were ready.
"It was pretty close to sold-out, and when you're playing in front of a crowd like that, it's hard not to be excited," continued Love. "We felt on top of the world, it was a huge win for us. We knew that it was possible and made it happen."
JJ also wants to give a big shoutout to his family, who were in the front row.
"To see my parents and siblings sitting in the front row was such a special feeling. They have always supported me, and it means the world," offered Love. "My high school coach (Taylor Schmidt) also came. It was so surreal having them here in the biggest stage."
Step one on their quest to win a national title was in the books. Things wouldn't get much easier. The Saskatchewan Huskies, who won the bronze medal at the Canada West Championships, were next. The two teams split two games in the regular season, with the Bobcats winning in five and the Huskies in four.
The Huskies came out the gates swinging and cruised past the Bobcats in the first two sets, 25-21 and 25-20. JJ and his teammates believed. They weren't ready to be relegated to the bronze medal match. They stuck with it, and after winning a tight third set, 25-23, it was all Bobcats. They cruised to a 25-15 fourth set win, and in the fifth set, the Bobcats finished off the reverse sweep, 15-10. JJ finished the match with 51 assists and two kills.
The Brandon Bobcats were off to the national final.
"Hands down, that was the craziest environment I have ever played in," offered Love. "The energy in our crowd was so cool to play in front of; what a special moment. We believed in ourselves after losing the first two sets, and we did."
The stage was set. It was the Brandon Bobcats against the Alberta Golden Bears. The Tantramar Trophy was on the line. Brandon was in fine form, and so was Alberta, after they swept Windsor and beat Sherbrooke in five sets.
Brandon and Alberta played twice in the regular season, splitting the matches. The Golden Bears are one of the best programs in the country and were the defending champions. Going shot for shot, Brandon and Alberta split the first two sets. Brandon won the third set, 28-26, and with the home crowd on their side, the Bobcats were national champions. They hammered the Golden Bears in the fourth set, 25-17, and for the first time in Bobcat men's volleyball history, BU were national champions.
They also became the first team since Laval in 2013 to win a national title on their home court.
"It feels so surreal, it's hard to even put words to it," offered Love. "I'm so proud of our guys and coaches. We took care of business, and it's so awesome to say we're national champions."
As a tip of the cap, JJ was named the Mikasa Player of the Game in the final. He hit .500 with five kills and seven digs, 40 assists, and one solo block. It was a monster performance, and it helped lift Brandon to the top of the Canadian volleyball world.
"It's not about personal accolades, but it's nice to see that I was recognized in the national final," ended Love. "With that said, I wouldn't have been possible without my passers and hitters."
