SEASON PREVIEW: Women’s volleyball set for exciting final season in the RSEQ

The 2023-24 season holds plenty of excitement for the Gee-Gees women's volleyball team. In their final season in the RSEQ, the Gee-Gees will face a pair of new opponents during their 18-game regular season circuit.

To start the season, the Gee-Gees head to Montreal on Oct. 15 to take on the Carabins. The following weekend, the team is back in Ottawa for their home opener where Laval will be the Gee-Gees first opponent at Montpetit Hall.

There are plenty of options in the Ottawa lineup, and Gee-Gees head coach, Lionel Woods, expects to make use of the entire team's abilities throughout the season.

"We will lean on every single player this season if we are to make a run at the RSEQ playoffs," said Woods. "The team knows that our league requires top performances from start to finish all season long, each and every weekend. There are no days off and no easy opponents. 

Coming off an RSEQ Second Team All-Star season, Grace McKale led the Gee-Gees in total attacks last season. Along with McKale, Alana Leung, and Michaela Jones bring a significant veteran presence to the team and are heading into their final season with Ottawa.

Jones led the Gee-Gees with 153 digs. Joining her at the libero position is Brynn Lewis, who totalled 66 digs in her rookie season.

At setter, Maxim Langevin returns for Ottawa. She was ranked 7 in the RSEQ with 468 assists. Setting responsibilities will be shared with Harper Schaefer, a new addition to the team.

The Gee-Gees play much of the opening half of the regular season at home and are only scheduled for four home games in the new year. 

On Oct. 29, the Gee-Gees welcome ETS to Montpetit Hall for the first time. Ottawa visits the other addition to the RSEQ top division in December for back-to-back games with UQAC. 

The regular season comes to a close against the defending conference champions from UQAM on Feb. 18 at Montpetit Hall. 

The Gee-Gees will look to qualify for the U SPORTS National Championship which takes place from Mar. 15-17 at McMaster University.

"This team has put in the work. They are a connected group who really wants to see what they can accomplish together," Woods said. "We are excited to get going, this will be a fun team to watch."

Tickets for Gee-Gees home games, including the home opener against Oct. 21 against Laval at 1 p.m. will be available at https://teams.geegees.ca/tickets.