After a long wait, the Lancer women's volleyball team returns to the court and OUA regular season competition this weekend.
 
"It is very exciting to see the athletes back on the court training and playing again," said head coach Lucas Hodgson. "It took a little bit of time for all of us to find out legs again, but I know we are all really happy to be back out here competing."
 
Windsor kicks off the regular season on Friday, November 12th at 6:00pm when they travel up to play the Waterloo Warriors. "Waterloo has some veteran players that are very key to their success so we are going to try and limit the damage they do," commented Hodgson. " Our youth is going to show here and there, but this group has shown they can adjust and adapt quickly during matches.
 
Hodgson's squad had a number of key athletes graduate, but they brought in a large class of great rookies to help fill some holes. Their new faces include Aryn Markett and Jordyn Brearly who have Team Ontario experience, libero Anna Scarfe, Sam Clements on the right side, and Sam Loshusan from Toronto. Middle Dylan Moyer and US recruit Emma Shepherd also join the blue and gold, along with sophomores Raiya Millin and Sara Wynia who will see their first OUA action.
 
When asked about getting the team motivated and what the challenges have been so far after a two-year layoff, Hodgson was quick to respond. "They are so excited to play that keeping their motivation up has not been a challenge," he said." On the flip side, the hardest part so far has been not going too fast too early. Everyone is so excited that sometimes they forget that it has been a two year layoff and we needed to go slowly to get to the point where we can go 100% every day."
 
Hodgson is grateful to be back on the court and already defines this season as a success. "To be honest, being out on the court playing again makes this season a success. But if we are talking about results, our goal in to play an entire season and make the final four.
 
Windsor will start their season on the road when they play the Warriors in a weekend doubleheader. Game one is scheduled for November 12th at 6:00pm, followed by game two on Saturday, November 13th at 6:00pm. Both games can be seen live at oua.tv.
 
Their home opener is scheduled for Saturday, November 20th at 2:00pm when they host the Guelph Gryphons at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse. Tickets can be purchased in advance at goLancers.ca/tickets.