Gee-Gees to face potential playoff opponent in McMaster

Host McMaster (6-6 OUA) Saturday, January 19, 2:00 p.m. (SSN Canada)

The uOttawa Gee-Gees women's volleyball team has moved up to seventh place in the latest edition of the CIS Top 10 poll after beating the Waterloo Warriors 3-1 on January 12. The Gee-Gees were missing starting setter Christina Grail due to the flu in that match, and second-year setter Michelle Chevalier was inserted into the starting lineup as Ottawa beat out a scrappy Waterloo team. This week, the 12-1 Gee-Gees will play host to the 6-6 McMaster Marauders-interestingly, if the season were to end today, the two teams would face each other in the first round of the OUA playoffs as the second and seventh seeds in the province.

"We came back from the break and we lost just a little bit of skip in our step and aggressiveness in our play. It's understandable but not acceptable and we've been working real hard to find our groove again," said Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods.

The Gee-Gees actually won the first two sets against Waterloo in style, 25-12 and 25-14, before faltering in set three, and having to come back to win in set four. While Grail will return to the starting lineup this weekend, Woods was pleased with the fact that his backup setter was able to play some meaningful minutes before heading into the playoffs.

"Chevalier played well and our team played well around her against Waterloo in set one and two before we let off the gas a little bit. But we found a way to put down our foot in set four," said Woods. "The rhythm between our usual starters is good, but Michelle going in and everybody getting a chance to feel what that's like-that was key for the team."

Ottawa has already played the Marauders three times this season, including twice in exhibition play, and have earned 3-0 wins each time. In the lone regular season matchup between these two teams, on October 28 at McMaster, the Gee-Gees had an impressive 20 service aces in a sweep of the Marauders. However, McMaster will be a tough team to handle as they have won four of their last five matches, and are currently the top blocking team in the nation. Veteran middle Shannon McRobert is the key player on McMaster, as she is among the team leaders in both blocks and points.

"We've beaten McMaster before, but they are a very good team in front of the attack line. We have to get at their back row and attack aggressively. They could easily be our first round opponent in the playoffs and we need to stay focused for sure," said Woods.