Gee-Gees gear up to face Guelph Gryphons in home opener

Hosting Guelph (1-2 OUA) Saturday, November 3, 2:00 p.m. (SSN Canada)

After playing their first four regular season games on the road, the Gee-Gees women's volleyball team is excited to finally host their home opener on Nov. 3, against the Guelph Gryphons. The nationally sixth-ranked Gee-Gees have not played at Montpetit Hall since late September when they hosted the 2012 Gee-Gees Preseason Classic. Ottawa has won all four matches to start the season, while the Gryphons are currently 1-2 with a victory over McMaster. The Gee-Gees faced the Gryphons in last year`s playoffs at Montpetit Hall and won 3-1 in an OUA quarter-finals match.

"We're really looking forward to being in our own gym. Even our home tournament doesn't have the quite the same feel as a home regular season game and our players are so happy to return home this weekend," said Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods.

Guelph and Ottawa have played three common opponents so far this season in McMaster, Waterloo, and Windsor. Interestingly, while the Gee-Gees beat Windsor and Waterloo by 3-0 and 3-1 scores, the Gryphons lost both matches to those opponents by the same score. Guelph does have one of the better setters in the OUA in Katelyn Larson, who was named to the OUA All-rookie Team last season.

"We're focusing on just one team this week, almost like a football schedule. We have no excuses not to be prepared," explained Woods. "I think Guelph is a playoff team. They are a bit of a young team but they are an athletic, scary team."

On the flip side, the Gee-Gees are one of just two teams who are currently 4-0 in the OUA, along with the York Lions. Ottawa is also the highest ranked OUA team in the CIS national poll.

"I like the recognition that the conference is getting on the national stage. The conference is working very hard to close the gap with other conferences. I'm glad to see York in the Top 10, and us for our performance against Quebec teams in the preseason," said Woods.

The Gee-Gees place among the top teams in the country in virtually every offensive category, including service aces where Ottawa is ranked at number one. They have managed this feat while playing with just nine healthy players to start this season, but rookie middle Sophie Chenail will be healthy enough to return to the lineup against Guelph.

Come out to Montpetit Hall this Saturday to support the Gee-Gees, one of the top women's volleyball teams in the CIS! Tickets to women's volleyball games are free for uOttawa students.