WINDSOR, Ont.- The Windsor Lancers women's volleyball team kicks off their 2013-14 regular season this Friday and Saturday in Thunder Bay, Ont., where they will play a weekend series against the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

With a mix of youth and experience making up Windsor's roster this season, the women will be looking to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since they won the OUA banner in 2006.

The women opened their preseason with a 3-1 weekend performance at the Can Am Invitational in Livonia, Michigan. Windsor dropped just one set in their three victories, two of which came against Lawrence Tech and one over Concordia. Their only loss was to the host Madonna Crusaders who made an NAIA National Championship appearance last season.

The Lancers then made a trip to the East Coast for the Scotiabank Invitational at Dalhousie University, where they went the distance in all four of their matches on the weekend. Windsor picked up victories against the defending AUS champion Tigers and Acadia, while dropping five-setters to Memorial and Saint Mary's.

The Lancers concluded their preseason schedule on October 4 and 5, notching five-set victories on the road against Waterloo and Western respectively. Overall, Windsor finished the preseason with a solid 8-4 record, and head coach Lucas Hodgson is pleased with what he's seen over the past few weeks leading up to the start of the conference schedule.

"We were very impressed with our preseason this year," said Hodgson, heading into his third season at the helm of the women's volleyball program. "We not only got positive results but were able to get a full view of our roster with that amount of playing time we spread around."

Fifth-year seniors Kaila Seguin and Jessica Shepley highlight a core of seven athletes who are returning from the 2012-13 squad that finished outside of the OUA playoff picture with a 3-15 conference mark.

After earning a second-team OUA all-star nod in the 2011-12 year, Seguin had another strong season in 2012-13, leading Windsor with an average of 3.8 points per set. The hometown native recorded a team-leading 3.21 kills per set and also topped the Lancers with 16 aces and 36 total blocks.

"Kaila coming back after a summer with the national beach program has been incredible, she has improved every part of her game and has become a vocal leader and someone the girls can look up to," said Hodgson.

Shepley will move to the outside hitter position after serving as Windsor's everyday setter last season, racking up 391 assists (7.38 per set) and 110 digs. Second-year Shannon Dean took home OUA all-rookie honours last season after finishing second on the roster with 149 kills while adding 167 digs and 180 points in 65 games played, averaging 2.8 points per set. She was second amongst conference rookies in kills, kills per set and points per set.

The returning core will be complimented by a recruiting class that includes both youth and experience.

"We have such depth with all of our new recruits and they are all pushing for game-time with their daily play," commented Hodgson.

Burlington, Ont. native Carleigh Bailey headlines the rookie class. The 5' 11" middle blocker/outside hitter helped guide Assumption High School to a gold medal at the 2012 OFSAA championships as well as three straight appearances at the provincial tournament.

Hodgson will be looking for Bailey to have an immediate impact in the regular season as well as two experienced transfers who will increase the experience and leadership level of the Lancers squad. "Jennifer Straver from Toronto has been a great leader and the girls lean on her for advice," said Hodgson. "She has done a great job showing them what it takes to compete at this level." Hometown product Danielle Lenarduzzi spent a season with Ryerson in 2011-12 before enrolling in Windsor this fall, and will be called upon to lead the Lancers from the setter position. "Danielle has come and run the offense for us very efficiently and we will look to her to continue to do so," said Hodgson.

With the OUA moving back to a two-division format, Windsor joins the West division along with Lakehead, Waterloo, Western, Brock, Guelph and McMaster. Four of seven teams in each division qualify for the playoffs. Hodgson is optimistic about the outlook for the women.

"Our goal this year is to be a top-four team in the OUA West," he said. "Coming into the season we know we need to be a better passing team and blocking team, two things we are working on to clean up for our first matches this coming weekend. "I think we have improved in every area this year and we're looking forward to get going and see where we fit in the OUA."

Following their weekend set with Lakehead, Windsor will return to the St. Denis Centre next weekend to take on McMaster in their home opener on Friday, October 25 and Waterloo the following evening. Both games will begin at 6:00 p.m.