Gees volleyball takes Guelph in three straight sets
Maclaine Chadwick | Fulcrum Staff
Photo by Justin Labelle
AFTER ELIMINATING THEM in the 2012 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs, the Gee-Gees women’s volleyball team have once again showed the University of Guelph Gryphons who’s boss, beating them three sets in a row during their homeopening game on Nov. 3. The win brings the Gees to a 5-0 season and to first place in the OUA rankings.
Head coach Lionel Woods was very happy with the way the team played.
“I thought we controlled the match,” said Woods. “Guelph played well and did good things against us and were trying some things, but we took away their favourite things.”
The Gees overcame the Gryphons in the first set 25-22, despite slipping slightly midway through the set and allowing Guelph to take a lead. It was third-year hitter Kelsie English who blocked a hit from the Gryphons, giving the Gees the final point of the set.
The Gee-Gees took an earlier lead in the second set, forcing Guelph to call a timeout when the scoreboard reached 8-3. That timeout helped the Gryphons at first, but their five-point streak was shut down with a huge hit from fifth-year middle Kathryn Weihrer. The Gees won their second set 25-20.
In their third and final set of the game, the Gees once again trumped the Gryphons 25-22 after taking a very early lead over Guelph. Standout performances of the game included fourth-year setter Christina Grail with 32 assists and third-year hitter Karina Krueger Schwanke with 18 points.
“Christina, our setter, just moved the ball around so well,” said Woods. “We’ve been really working on trying to get our middle a little more involved in our offence, almost force them to be involved.”
The Gee-Gees’ success in their season so far can be attributed to the players’ comfort and chemistry with each other, according to Woods.
“People call it chemistry, but good chemistry just comes from time together. They are just so comfortable beside each other… It’s just maturity and time together.”
The Gee-Gees’ next home game will take place at Montpetit Hall on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. against the Brock University Badgers.
