WINDSOR, Ont.- The Windsor Lancers men's volleyball team is set to begin its 2012-13 season this weekend.  The Lancers will open their conference schedule on the road in the provincial capital, where they will take on the Toronto Varsity Blues and Ryerson Rams on Friday and Saturday respectively.

The Lancers finished fourth in the OUA conference last season, posting a record of 11-7.  However, their playoff run was short-lived as they were defeated by the Waterloo Warriors in the quarter-finals at home to end their year.  Looking forward, head coach Shawn Lippert will have to deal with the loss of last year's leading point-getter Harrison Oake, who topped Windsor with 3.9 points per set (p/s) and 3.4 kills per set (k/s). 

The men tuned up for the regular season by kicking off a successful training camp at the end of August and participating in the RMC Invitational tournament from October 12-14, where they garnered a 4-0 record.

"I have been happy with the pre-season," said Lippert.  "We have had some healthy competition for some key positions with this young team."

The Lancers are led by two-time all-Canadian and OUA all-star Kyle Williamson (Essex, Ont.).  The former conference player of the year recorded just over 3.0 k/s in 2011-12, and finished second on Windsor with 3.6 p/s. 

"(Williamson) definitely brings a lot of confidence to a relatively young team," said Lippert.  "Williamson as an anchor will relieve some of the pressures for our young athletes."

Of the 15 players on the 2012-13 Lancers roster, 10 are either in their first or second year, making for a youthful team with veteran underpinnings.

"We will have a sophomore setter this year with two sophomore outsides playing," said Lippert, who has also added some height to this year's squad.  "We have Gabe Burlacu (6'6") and Nate Snippe (6'8").  In certain game situations, those two could make an impact in particular moments."

Snippe hails from Hamilton, and most recently led his team to a fifth place finish out of 52 squads at this past summer's national championships in Toronto.  Burlacu is closer to home with his roots in Tecumseh, Ont. 

For Lippert, the season's goal is clear.  "As always playoffs are our intentions," he said.  "Playoffs are such a different animal in volleyball.  The goal is to get into them and from there go deep.  This team is comprised of some young guns and I am looking forward to them maturing into some great OUA volleyball players."

Following their season opening weekend on the road, the Lancers will return to the St. Denis Centre on November 2 and 3, where they will host the Guelph Gryphons and Waterloo Warriors.  Both games are set for 8:00 p.m. respectively.