The University of Windsor Lancers women's volleyball team is looking to make it back to the OUA final four following a successful 2024-25 season that saw them go 13-7 in the regular season and earn a sixth-place finish and playoff berth, making their return to the playoffs following a one-year hiatus the season prior.
 
The Lancers started out strong in the playoffs, taking down the Western Mustangs on the road in five sets before falling to the Brock Badgers, who were looking to defend their three consecutive OUA titles. The loss left the Lancers looking for more, and has inspired the group as they prepare for redemption this season.
 
Windsor starts the season with two home games against the Nipissing Lakers, and will also host the TMU Bold, York Lions, Waterloo Warriors, and McMaster Marauders at the Toldo Lancer Centre this season. Their road games will see them travel to face the Lakehead Thunderwolves, Western Mustangs, Guelph Gryphons, Ottawa Gee-Gees, and Brock Badgers.
 
"The team was excited to build off a successful final four run last year and their hard work in the off-season has been paying off in training," said Lancer women's volleyball interim head coach Drew Foster, who takes over the reins in his first year as bench boss after serving as assistant coach since 2014.
 
Jordyn Brearley, a team captain and fifth-year middle, is ready for the opportunity. "It feels like we have been building to this moment for four years, and I know the other seniors and myself are highly motivated to win an OUA Championship."
 
NOTABLE RETURNING PLAYERS
The bulk of the Lancers core players are back for another playoff run, led by U SPORTS first-team all-star Aliah Admans. The fourth-year left side was the only OUA player to eclipse the 300-kill mark in 2024-25 and led the league with 4.8 points per set. Her attacking proved to be incredibly efficient, as her 4.17 kills per set dwarfed the second-best clip of 3.82.

Fourth-year setter and team captain Danika Scharff will be a key contributor offensively, as her 8.77 assists per set ranked third in the province last season. Scharff was named a third-team OUA all-star in 2024-25.
 
Jordyn Brearley will lead the Lancers down the middle, as the fifth-year middle will anchor the floor and lead the team as a captain. The Windsor native's presence was a threat to opposing offenses, as her 1.03 blocks per set ranked third in the OUA last season.
 
NEW PLAYERS
The Lancers core of Admans, Scharff, and Brearley, among others, will be supported by a couple of fresh faces in the blue and gold. Geneva Huisman has spent the past three seasons at St. Clair College and was named and OCAA West Division first-team all-star last season. The 6'3" middle will look to contribute when she steps on the floor, bringing lots of previous experience. A libero from Tecumseh, Ont., Kaitlyn Pepper brings athleticism on defense that has been a factor throughout preseason, and she will look to carry that momentum into her reps as the regular season begins.
 
2024-25 STAT LEADERS
Kills: Aliah Admans - 300
Assists: Danika Scharff - 623
Digs: Aliah Admans - 191
Blocks: Jordyn Brearley - 68
Aces: Danika Scharff - 31
 
KEY MATCHUPS
October 24 vs Nipissing
The Lancers open the regular season on home court against the Nipissing Lakers, a team that they tied with in the standings last season. The Lancers will have to go up against a skilled team that will test them early as Windsor looks to have a strong start to their season.
 
January 17 vs Waterloo
As the season shifts towards the playoff race, the Lancers host the Waterloo Warriors. Waterloo finished one win ahead of the Lancers last season, so they will provide a tough test for the Lancers as the finish line approaches.
 
February 7 vs McMaster
In their final regular season home game, the Lancers take on the defending Quigley Cup champions, who earned a title over the powerhouse Brock Badgers last season. This game may prove to be a pivotal contest in the penultimate weekend of the regular season, and a key measuring stick match for the Lancers.
 
The Lancers kick off their 2025-26 regular season at home with a two-game set against the Nipissing Lakers on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Toldo Lancer Centre. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available at golancers.ca/tickets and the game can be streamed online via oua.tv.