The University of Windsor Lancers men's volleyball team are just five short months away from hosting the 2026 U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship, and are looking to earn their spot following a nationals berth last season.
 
Following a first-place finish in 2024-25 that saw them go 18-2 in the regular season, the Lancers swept their way to the Forsyth Cup, taking down the Waterloo Warriors and York Lions before falling to the Queen's Gaels in four sets. That performance earned them a berth at the 2025 U SPORTS Championship in Brandon, Man., their second appearance at nationals in three years. The Lancers fell to the Alberta Golden Bears in their first game, kept their season alive by taking down the Western Mustangs in three sets, and closing out their year with a consolation final loss to the Winnipeg Wesmen.
 
The Lancers have prepared for the season with competition against high-level opponents from across the country in the Trinity Western Spartans, Saskatchewan Huskies, Alberta Golden Bears, Toronto Varsity Blues, and Western Mustangs. "We have worked on many new wrinkles to our offense and defense in the preseason and are looking forward to seeing how those items play in live fire this weekend versus Nipissing," said Lancer men's volleyball head coach James Gravelle. "We expect a very stiff test this weekend as Nipissing is expected to be one of the best teams in our conference and is very well coaches and always prepared."
 
NOTABLE RETURNING PLAYERS
Many of the top Lancers players will be familiar faces to fans inside the Toldo Lancer Centre, led by 2024-25 OUA Player of the Year and U SPORTS first team all-Canada Markus Law-Heese. The fifth-year setter has been a catalyst for the Lancer offense and will again prove to be a key contributor as the teams looks to best last season's finish. His 9.6 assists per set tied for second in the province in 2024-25.

"Our team is looking forward to starting the season. It always exciting stepping into the regular season knowing all the work we have put in throughout the summer and preseason has prepared us well for the grind we are entering," said Law-Heese. "We are a veteran team that have played together for a long time, I look forward to battling every weekend with my brothers that I have grown so close with over my time at the University of Windsor ... Coming off a strong summer of playing beach volleyball, it is always fun to see how my beach training pays off when I come back to the court. With the growth I've made over the summer, and the support I have from my teammates and coaching staff here at Windsor, I am looking forward to a solid season with a very disciplined level of play."
 
Fifth-year middle Darian Koskie has been named an OUA all-star on multiple occasions and has been named a U SPORTS all-Canadian as well. He has the ability to dominate on both sides of the ball and will aim to continue his strong preseason play into the regular season. Koskie ranked third in the OUA with 1.01 blocks per set last season.

Law-Heese highlights fifth-year opposite Chase Bridges and fourth-year player Noah Koskie as other players expected to contribute: "Chase has really stepped up and is looking like one of the most dominant attackers and most tactical servers in the league. Noah has stepped seamlessley into a new position. He is our libero and will do an excellent job wearing the opposite jersey while brining leadership to our defensive and reception line."

2024-25 STAT LEADERS
Kills: Gustavo Siquiera - 208
Assists: Markus Law-Heese - 720
Digs: Quintin Greenridge - 195
Blocks: Darian Koskie - 76
Aces: Kaden Reid - 23
 
KEY MATCHUPS
October 24 vs Nipissing
The Lancers face a tough test in their home opener, as two top teams in the OUA go head-to-head right off the bat. Nipissing went 12-8 last season and is a force to be reckoned with in the OUA, setting up fans at the Toldo Lancer Centre for fireworks on Friday night to start the season.
 
January 9 vs York
In their first home game out of the winter break, the Lancers face off against the York Lions, another strong team. The Lions went 15-5 last season, good for fourth in the OUA. The Lancers ended the Lions season in the OUA semifinals last year, ensuring the Lions will come out hungry for redemption.
 
February 6 vs McMaster
In their second-to-last home game before the playoffs, Windsor will take on the McMaster Marauders, a team that just missed the playoffs last season. The Marauders have a strong program and will be determined to play well down the stretch to ensure they make it back to the playoffs in 2026.

The Lancers kick off their 2025-26 season at home with two games against the Nipissing Lakers on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Toldo Lancer Centre. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available at golancers.ca/tickets and the game can be streamed online via oua.tv.