Nationally seventh-ranked Gee-Gees happy to start regular season schedule

@ Windsor (0-0 OUA) Saturday, October 20, 1:00 p.m.

@ Western (0-0 OUA) Sunday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.

After finishing their busy preseason schedule with an impressive 11-2 record, the Gee-Gees women's volleyball team is currently ranked seventh in the country. This is the first time Ottawa has been ranked in the CIS Top 10 since the 2007-08 season. This weekend, the Gee-Gees will finally get their regular season schedule underway with two road games at Windsor and at Western. The Gee-Gees faced those two squads on the road last season as well, and swept both teams in 3-0 victories.

"It's been a bit of grind to get to here, and I think we've prepared ourselves really well. I think starting league play gives us some newfound energy and purpose, because there are two points on the line every game now," said Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods.

The Gee-Gees will have to overcome a shorthanded roster to beat Windsor and Western as rookie M/RS Sophie Chenail and third-year LS/RS Kayla Bell-Hammond will not play this week due to injuries. Add the fact that NCAA transfer Michelle Chevalier is ineligible to play until next month, and it means that Ottawa will only have nine players dressed against the Lancers and Mustangs. However, this was also the case this past weekend when the Gee-Gees travelled to Kingston to face the defending OUA champions, the Queen's Gaels. And Ottawa won handily 3-1, which should give the Gee-Gees much confidence as they start the season with two road games.

"We played a lot of different teams in the preseason, in different environments; we only played five games at our home gym. That was done on purpose, because we know we have to win as many matches we can, both at home and on the road. We seem to be tough to beat in our own gym and that's been an identity of ours, but we certainly want to be as tough on the road as we are at home," Woods explained.

Last season, the Lancers finished 12th in the OUA with a 3-15 record, while Western just missed the post-season by one game, finishing in ninth at 8-10. However, Western was the 2011 OUA women's volleyball champions, while Windsor has beaten the Gee-Gees as recently as the 2009-10 season, so the Gee-Gees will take nothing for granted on this road trip.

"Both of these teams are potential playoff teams, so it's a great way to start the season," said Woods.