After being ranked No.7 in then national rankings earlier this week, the Lancers men's volleyball team is facing high expectations as they kick off their season this Saturday against the Queen's Gaels in Kingston.
 
With the core of the team returning from last year's 10-7 season, finishing third in the OUA West and making a run to the U SPORTS Championship, head coach James Gravelle will be looking for all of his players to make an impact throughout the year.
 
Leading the team as captain this year is OUA all-star and all-Canadian, Jonathan Moate.
 
"This could be Moate's last season with the Blue and Gold since he will graduate in June 2019, and he is eager to lead the program to new heights," Gravelle said of the fourth year captain.
 
Also joining Moate as co-captain is third year Pierce Johnson. Johnson had a tremendous pre-season, being named an all-star at the Humber Cup tournament and MVP of the Brock Invitational, and looks to continue his high performance into the season. Completing the trio is standout Brad Gyemi. Gyemi was an OUA second team all-star for the past two seasons. 
 
Gravelle claims the key to their success will be dependent on consistency as he states, "The U SPORTS volleyball season is a long, two-semester schedule so a big challenge will be to avoid getting too high or too low at any point."
 
According to Gravelle, the team will maintain a 'one match at a time' approach to the season, as they keep their focus on their first match of the season this Saturday.
 
The Lancers head down to Kingston as they face off against the Queen's Gaels at 3:00 on Sat. Oct. 27. The blue and gold will return for their home opener as they face off against the Brock Badgers at 2:00 on Saturday, November 3rd. Season Tickets for the Lancers can be purchased at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.