Gee-Gees return to OUA opposition with focus
Photo credit: Marta Kierkus
A long break for the Gee-Gees women’s volleyball team made for some valuable rest time. On Jan. 7 and 9, they came back prepared to take on some of the best teams in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ).
They first took on the RSEQ fourth-ranked McGill Martlets at an exhibition game in Cornwall, and made easy work of the 9-4 squad, putting them away 3-1. The game was key in regaining their confidence as they came into the second half of the year.
The second exhibition game was against the nationally third-ranked Montreal Carabins, whose strength would prove to be too much as the Gee-Gees dropped the match by a 3-2 margin.
Getting back into regular Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season play on Jan. 11, the Gees took on the Lakehead Thunderwolves in Thunder Bay. Left side Kaly Soro was key for the Gee-Gees as they swept the match 3-0 behind her 10-point performance. Fifth-year stars Kelsie and Myriam English had solid performances with 8.5 and seven points respectively. Myriam also tallied 11 digs in the match. The win improved the Gees to 9-3 for the season.
“Today was a very focused, consistent performance from the group,” said head coach Lionel Woods after the Thunderwolves game. “Lakehead played some great defence and pushed our defence to stay active and solid. We had to match their energy.”
The Gee-Gees are currently in third place in the OUA East division, behind Toronto and Queen’s. The team will be taking on strong competition in the coming weeks that will determine playoff seeding.
After a disappointing performance at last year’s national championship tournament, the Gee-Gees are looking stronger this year and seem to be more focused on reaching their goal of a national title.
There is plenty of time left in the season for the garnet and grey squad to climb higher in the ranks as the games become more meaningful.
The women will take the court at Montpetit Hall on Jan. 17 at 2 p.m., where they meet the struggling 2-10 Waterloo Warriors. They face the 6-5 Guelph Gryphons the next day, also at Montpetit at 2 p.m.
