Important tests await no. 7 Gee-Gees in Toronto

At Toronto (5-4) Saturday January 5, 14:00
At Ryerson (7-2) Sunday January 6, 14:00 (Ryerson Rams Network)

The Gee-Gees women's volleyball team will resume their OUA regular season play with two road matches this weekend as they try to carry over their success from the opening half of play which saw them ranked as high as fourth in the country. To begin the second half of the season on the right foot, number 7-ranked Ottawa will have to address the issues which led them to drop their only exhibition match of the December exam break by a 3-1 score to McGill.

Although Toronto sits in a tie for sixth in the OUA entering the second half of regular season action, they are coming off an impressive showing in December exhibition play. The Varsity Blues downed Queen's three sets to one and swept matches with Sherbrooke and UNB. With the Blues on a roll, Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods knows his team will need to be "road fit" coming back into action.

After finishing last season 6-12, Ryerson turned in an excellent first half performance to sit in a tie for third in the OUA at the break. The Rams are led by last year's OUA Rookie of the Year, Chelsea Briscoe and fellow 2012 rookie all-star Emily Nicholishen.

"We have a tough second half schedule. Our goal is to win fast - to win enough games to get into the playoffs," said Woods who was looking forward to the week of practices to prepare for the Toronto road swing.

Ottawa has seen continued strong play from Karina Krueger Schwanke, who has led the CIS in points per set since the outset of the season. In addition, sophomore middle blocker Alix Durivage has provided another attacking option for the Gee-Gees in the middle, advancing her skills rapidly while settling into her role in the starting six. "Our wings are our core and they carry our offence," said Woods, adding that, "Alix playing very stable and like a veteran in the middle has helped allow that to happen.