The Lancer women's volleyball team split their opening weekend of the 2016-17 season at the St. Denis Centre.
 
The Blue & Gold came away with a 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23) win over the Waterloo Warriors in their season opener before falling 3-1 (19-25, 25-15, 22-25, 21-25) to the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday afternoon.
 
Friday vs Waterloo  
 
In the first set, the Lancers trailed the Warriors until Megan Kalbfleisch served five straight points to put the Lancers on top 14-12. Windsor continued the momentum throughout the set to take the win.
 
Windsor found themselves in an early deficit in the second set, but came out of the technical time out strong to tie the game up. However, Windsor could not eliminate the simple errors that allowed Waterloo to take the lead and the set.
 
The hosts jumped out to an early 11-6 lead in the third and kept that going straight into the fourth set. Waterloo took advantage of a small Lancer lapse in the fourth to inch their way back from a six point deficit, but the Blue & Gold rallied to take the set and earn the victory.
 
For Windsor it was a balanced attack with three Lancers reaching double digits in kills.  Emily McCloskey, Lexi Pollard, and Melissa Smyth each put away 10 kills to give Windsor their first win of the season.
 
Saturday vs Waterloo
 
Both teams matched up quite evenly in the first set, resulting in some long rallies. Senior Melissa Smyth came out strong with multiple blocks to shut down the Guelph attack early. However, the Lancers took off the pressure and tallied up seven unforced errors allowing the Gryphons to come back and take the set.
 
The long rallies continued in the second set as the Lancers inched ahead 16-9 at the first technical time-out following some smart hitting from Erin Epema. The Gryphons are unable to re-group and the Lancers dominate the set to earn the win.
 
After dropping the second set, the Gryphons bounce back and get back to their game, which results in another set of back and forth action. The duo of Madison DeDecker and Victoria Golebiowski lead the Gryphon attach en route to the set victory.
 
In the fourth, Windsor struggled on serve-receive which led to the Gryphons taking home the win. A few Guelph blocking errors kept the Lancers in the game as they tried to capitalize with good defense from Bailey.
 
McClosky led the way with 14 kills and a block, while Ziebarth had a great game on both sides of the ball with 12 kills, 22 digs and a block.
 
Up Next
 
The Lancers will travel up the 401 next weekend for their first road trip of the year as they face the Queen's Gaels and RMC Paladins in Kingston.