The Lancer volleyball program opens regular season competition this weekend when they host a pair of doubleheaders at the St. Denis Centre.
 
Windsor opens the year on Friday night when they host the Waterloo Warriors (6pm&8pm), followed by an afternoon tilt against the Guelph Gryphons (2&4pm).
 
The Lancer women's team has a number of new faces on the roster this season, including outside hitters Lexi Pollard and Erin Epema, and setter Megan Kalbfleisch. The Lancers also return a core group of veterans including captain Emily McCloskey, middle Melissa Smyth, and OUA all-rookie team member Jade Ziebarth.
 
To help blend the two groups, head coach Lucas Hodgson will move fourth year Carleigh Bailey to Libero from the outside/middle. "If our younger players can sustain through the year I think we have the talent to be a strong team in the OUA," said Hodgson. "Our veterans need to mentor and support our rookies so that we can continue to grow as a unit."
 
Hodgson continued, "We had a tough preseason schedule, so we are exciting to get going and compete in the regular season."
 
On the men's side, the Lancers coming off a 2015-16 season that saw them miss the playoffs but showed much improvement over the second half of the year. Brad Gyemi (CIS and OUA all-rookie team) and John Moate (OUA all-rookie team) return and will be major contributors again this season.
 
Windsor also welcomes back Gabriel Burlacu, who returns to the court after taking last season off to focus on beach volleyball. The fourth year veteran will move to the left side.
 
Head coach James Gravelle will also look to newcomer Oscar Scholing who joins the Lancers from the Netherlands. Gravelle will count on Scholing for his experience at middle blocker.
 
There are also several first year players that Gravelle expects will contribute significantly including Nolan Langley (Setter), Pierce Johnson (Left Side), and Marc Pineault (Middle Blocker).
 
"After a long pre-season our group is excited to get our regular season under way this Friday," said Gravelle. "While we are definitely a young team with many first and second year players we believe we have the size, athleticism, and teamwork to compete with the best of the OUA.  We will continue to improve every day and work toward our goal of making the OUA playoffs."
 
Season tickets for Lancer volleyball are still available and can be purchased online at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.