SEASON PREVIEW: Gee-Gees women’s volleyball ready for 2022 following promising preseason

The Gee-Gees women's volleyball team is set to officially begin their 2022-23 RSEQ schedule following a strong start to the year in preseason action.

Between the Tournoi invitation UQAM and the Gee-Gees Pre-Season Classic, Ottawa logged wins over conference foes in Sherbrooke and Montreal, as well as 2021 AUS Champion Dalhousie, and runner-up Saint Mary's.

As the team shifts their focus to regular season action, there is renewed excitement around the program's prospects for the 2022-23 season and beyond.

With a lineup consisting of familiar and new faces, Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods is seeing the direction of team take shape.

"Heading onto the season we really do feel prepared to compete," said Woods. "The mix of young and old on this team could have been a challenge, but full credit to our vets and rookies, they have embraced the idea of becoming a team as fast as possible."

"The proof has been on the court in preseason. We have gone toe-to-toe with Top 10 competition all the way through September, culminating in our best performance in our last match of preseason against Dalhousie."

Veteran outside hitter Avery Hughes returns as a senior presence for Ottawa, last season Hughes finished second on the team in kills with 63.

Key returners from last year's group also include setter Maxim Langevin, who led the team in assists last season (160), middles Janae McKay and Alana Leung, who led the team in blocks (27) and service aces (19) respectively.

This year's incoming crop of first-year talent have shown early promise in their careers with the Garnet and Grey. Audrey Odigie and Denae Bistow have impressed on the wings, while middle Nicole Hildebrand has made immediate impact as well this preseason.

With a slate of 18 games set for RSEQ this season, the Gee-Gees will face each of their six conference foes three times. Ottawa will have the benefit of playing five home games before the December break, including a run of four consecutive contests at Montpetit Hall from Oct. 30-Nov. 18.

"There is no question the RSEQ season is a long and hard fought run, but it is one that we are all confident we can compete in and we have our sights set on getting back in the playoff hunt again," said Woods.

The Gee-Gees will travel to UQAM on Friday, Oct. 14 to kick off the season against the Citadins. Ottawa will host UQTR in their Home Opener on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m.

The RSEQ regular season runs through Feb. 18, with playoffs getting underway the following week. The 2023 U SPORTS Women's Volleyball National Championship will be hosted in Vancouver at UBC from March 17-19. This season, the RSEQ will receive two berths to the National Championship, up from one in recent seasons.

All home games will be streaming live on the Gee-Gees YouTube account and tickets are available for purchase online at tickets.geegees.ca.