RECAP: Gee-Gees show well at Preseason Classic

The Gee-Gees women's volleyball team played an outstanding series of matches this weekend, sweeping through pool play with a 4-0 record to reach the final of the Preseason Classic at Montpetit Hall. On Sunday, the Garnet and Grey had plenty left in the tank and pushed the Toronto Varsity Blues, particularly in a lengthy second set, before finishing as runners up.

Full tournament results are available on the tournament webpage.

"Based on our last couple of years of scoreboard results there was no reason to think that we would be in this final," admitted Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods. "But by the second, third match of the weekend everyone was believing that we're supposed to be here."

Ottawa showed its quality throughout the weekend as well as its depth. Veterans Caroline Lemay and Sabrina Roy were named to the tournament all-star team while rookies and players who had not had major roles last season had moments to shine as well.

"It's a really new group and we wanted to have our young players play. Not only did they play but they stepped up and help us win," said Woods. "To win 2-1 in every pool play match shows a lot of maturity, guts, and character for our young group. Just a fantastic weekend."

To reach the final, the Gee-Gees defeated Manitoba, McGill, Acadia, and McMaster.

"I couldn't be more proud of where we're at – it all just came together. It did not feel like a team that is trying to figure itself out. It's about fine-tuning things. But we will go and test ourselves again at the McMaster tournament."

The RSEQ regular season opens October 19, when Ottawa hosts the Montréal Carabins at 7 p.m. The Carabins, the conference champions in 2017-18, finished 7th at the tournament, falling to McGill on Sunday. The Sherbrooke Vert et Or were also at the Preseason Classic, finishing in fourth place.

All Gee-Gees regular season games are webcast live on OUA.tv