RECAP: Gee-Gees go the distance, defeat Laval 3-2

The Gee-Gees women's volleyball team were on home court to host the Laval Rouge et Or for a Tuesday afternoon meeting.

This marked the third time the teams battled it out, and this time, it was the Gee-Gees who emerged victorious after a long five sets.

"It was a back and forth battle the whole time," said Gee-Gees hitter, Nicole Hildebrand. "We were a little low energy going into the third set, but we just try our best and trust our game plan that we've been practicing. It feels incredible to get the win. 

Ottawa took the first set 25-19, but fell behind in the second set, ultimately dropping 25-16 to the Laval squad.

Tied at one set a piece, the remainder of the game was an exciting, back-and-forth contest.

The Gee-Gees were down 20-15 in the third set, but Hildebrand put the team back on track with a sequence of impressive blocks and kills. Down 23-21, Audrey Odigie displayed her athleticism with a pair of fiery kills to tie things up. 

Ottawa gained the edge, taking the set 25-23.

The fourth set was a lengthy one as both teams refused to give the other any easy points.  Laval squeezed out the 28-26 win to force a fifth and final set.

Laval took the half 8-7, and from there, the teams exchanged points. 

With 11-11 on the board, the Gee-Gees took control. Odigie logged another impressive kill and Janae McKay and Hildebrand teamed up for a huge block to get up 14-11. The Rouge et Or refused to quit, and we were back to a 14-13 game. 

It was Odigie who closed things out, firing the ball through the middle of the court to take the set 15-13, and secure the 3-2 win to start the second half of the season. 

Odigie led with 22 kills, followed by Hildebrand who logged 11. Gee-Gees setter, Maxim Langevin, contributed 46 assists and 13 digs.

"The subs we made helped us get through," Gee-Gees head coach, Lionel Woods said. "Everybody helped in that match. It was a tired, really grinded out, really cool win."

The Gee-Gees hit the road to take on UQAM on Jan. 14, but will be back at Montpetit Hall on Friday, Jan. 19 to host UQAC in a 7 p.m. matchup.