SEASON PREVIEW: Women’s volleyball ready to reignite for the 2025-26 season
The University of Ottawa women's volleyball team is days away from the 2025-26 campaign. Coming off a 7-13 record in the program's return to the OUA, the Gee-Gees are back with a nearly identical roster.
The Gee-Gees graduated a single player, parting ways with setter Maxim Langevin. Langevin was a staple to the program for her four years. During her third year (2023-24) she ranked first in the RSEQ and fifth in U SPORTS with 9.04 assists per set.
Setting duties have been passed off to Ottawa local, Harper Schaefer. Last season, Schaefer found her rhythm, logging 7.02 assists per set in her 66 sets played.
Schaefer has notable weapons on her side, starting with Ottawa captain, Audrey Odigie. Odigie earned OUA First Team All-Star honours after leading the Gee-Gees with 3.66 kills per set (fifth in the OUA) and 4.4 points per set (second in the OUA). Her performance is complimented by Nicole Hildebrand and Christina Hachokake, who have each established themselves as compelling players.
On the defensive end, the libero tandem of Brynn Lewis and Jessica Goodman is as exciting as they are effective. As a rookie, Goodman appeared in 54 sets for the Gee-Gees and logged 2.17 digs per set. A more veteran presence as she enters her fourth season with the Garnet and Grey, Lewis totalled 2.24 digs per set in her 62 sets over the 2024-25 campaign.
Camryn Giddens and Keely Lloyd continue to progress as go-to players for the Gee-Gees. Middle blocker, Lloyd, ranked second on the team in blocks per set as a rookie with 0.81.
The roster welcomes a trio of rookies. Lea Pendergast, Sophia Jekat, and Zoe Dirisio all join the established Gee-Gees team ready to make an impact.
The season starts at home as the Gee-Gees welcome the Toronto Varsity Blues to Montpetit Hall for a pair of matchups on October 24th and 25th. Tickets for the home opener and all Gee-Gees home games can be purchased at tickets.geegees.ca. All games are available for streaming on OUA.tv.