RECAP: Women’s volleyball’s youthful line-up gives glimpse of bright future ahead

The Gee-Gees dropped their first two matches games of the New Year, falling to the Montréal Carabins and Sherbrooke Vert et Or three sets to one on Thursday and Saturday. Despite the losses, there were promising performances from young talent to provide a look ahead to the team's identity.

JANUARY 9 vs MONTRÉAL

The Carabins (9-3) came out of the gate quickly taking an early lead and didn't loosen their grip for the entire set, winning 25-11.

In the second set, both teams were trading points back and forth before the Gee-Gees pulled away with a flurry of points to take the set 25-18. A decisive kill by Portia Cooper and solo block from Robin Melnick were the turning point for the Gee-Gees, giving them the momentum to take control of the set.

The third set was a near carbon copy of the second with back and forth play until the late stages, when the Carabins pulled away to win the set 25-19.

The Gee-Gees had lost their momentum from the second set and the Carabins capitalized. Getting in front of the Gee-Gees and winning the final set 25-14.

First-year's Trinity Lusan and Alana Leung gave big contributions on the defensive side, being strong presences along the net blocking the Carabins attack.

JANUARY 11 AT SHERBROOKE

On their first road trip of the New Year, it took a bit for the Gee-Gees to get their legs back, falling in the first two sets 25-14 & 25-10.

The Gee-Gees woke up in the third set and battled for the remainder of the game. Ottawa earned a hard-fought set win (26-24) before dropping the last set and the match 25-19.

Veterans Kara Hayes, Dana Bulloch, and Avery Hughes lead the offense in kills with Hughes also earning herself two service aces.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"This program knows what it takes and what it feels like to win in the RSEQ and at the U SPORTS level but the majority of the roster players now, and certainly next year, have no context yet. We have moved drastically to teaching and building versus a win now situation, and in that way, these kids are working hard to get after it. [Against Sherbrooke,] we had a rare 'comeback win', where we were down 23-13 and came all the way back to win that set. Those are the moments that you can't create in training: uniforms on, refs up, scoreboard rolling and you build a little confidence. Very proud of the vets in our group who are trying hard to support the future by mentoring over the next four weeks and sacrificing some of their own self-interests to help our young players experience those 'match moments' that could lead to greater success in the future.
" — Lionel Woods, head coach

LOOKING AHEAD

The Gee-Gees are at home this weekend where they will welcome UQAM and McGill on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Both games start at 2 p.m. and tickets will be available live on tickets.geegees.ca