SEASON PREVIEW: Women’s volleyball team has high hopes heading into new season

The 2019-20 season officially begins for the Gee-Gees women's volleyball team this Friday night, as they host UQAM at Montpetit Hall on October 18.

Following eight weeks of preparation for the season, including the team's annual Preseason Classic, the team met once more to discuss expectations heading into the season.

"We talked about it with the team: What do they expect, what do they want to achieve?" said head coach Lionel Woods. "They were unanimous in the fact that they understand they are underdogs on paper, but in their minds, they're toe-to-toe with everybody in the conference." "Anything less than playoffs to them would be not achieving what they want, they believe they're a playoff team."

"They want to do it one weekend at a time, but the fact of the matter is the starting line-up has remained in Ottawa 12 months of the year, has put the time and the work in, and they really believe that's going to pay-off," Woods said.

A 1-19 record in the 2018-19 season marked a challenging season for the Gee-Gees, but the experienced gained and lessons learned over the course of the year will prove to be invaluable for the team heading into this year.

KEY RETURNEES

This season, veteran experience is plentiful throughout the Gee-Gees' starting line-up. Kara Hayes and Emily Lenton return for their fifth season with the team, while Dana Bulloch and Niève Séguin begin their fourth.

"[Niève] has found a way every year and every semester to improve and increase her role. Lo and behold, she's one of the best three wings that we have and she's on the starting line-up and helping us win," Woods said.

In combination with third-years Magalie Frappier, Tristan Peterson, and Milana Grahovac, there's plenty of experience to lean on.

"That's the difference right now, if you're going to win in the RSEQ, you have to be old enough," Woods added.

KEY ADDITIONS

A quartet of rookies are set to join the Gee-Gees this season. Michaela Jones, a libero, and Portia Cooper, a right side, are both local products from Ottawa. Trinity Lusan (left side) hails from Brampton, Ont. While Alana Leung (middle blocker) is from Surrey, BC.

All four have already impressed the team with their poise and demeanor through preseason play.

"The veterans are so impressed with our rookies. The gap between them and are veterans are smaller than in past years," Woods enthused.

"Portia Cooper has stepped on and played starting minutes all the way through preseason already. You might not realize she's a rookie when she fits into the mix of the team, that's been impressive. 

"All four of them have added to our block presence, athleticism, and most importantly they've played with veteran demeanor," he said.

LOOKING AHEAD

Following the season opener, the team will play four consecutive road games split across three weekends, with two games against Montreal and one each against Laval and McGill.

The Gee-Gees will return to Montpetit Hall on Friday, November 3 against McGill.

Tickets for all home games are available now at tickets.geegees.ca. A complete schedule can be found here.