Gee-Gees overcome feisty Warriors in four sets

The Gee-Gees improved their record to 12-1 and remain atop the OUA standings, while the Warriors fell to 2-10.

"Our job is to get ready for playoff time. We want to go into the playoffs playing at our best, and I don't think we played at our best today. We have lots to do still, but the upside is that we haven't peaked yet," said Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods.

The Gee-Gees took an early 8-2 lead to start the first set, forcing the Warriors to burn a timeout. The timeout did nothing to stop Ottawa's momentum, as Ottawa scored the next five points to stretch their advantage to 11 points. Rookie setter Michelle Chevalier made her first start of the season, in place of usual starter Christina Grail, and scored a skillful kill midway through the first set. The plucky Warriors attempted to make a game of it late in the set, but it was a case of too little, too late as Ottawa won 25-12. Third-year outside hitter Karina Krueger Schwanke led the way for the Gee-Gees with five points in the first set.

The Warriors matched the Gee-Gees' effort point-for-point to start the second set, as Waterloo took a 10-8 lead. Ottawa re-took the lead at 12-11 thanks to a strong blocking effort from third-year right side hitter Kelsie English and fifth-year middle Kathryn Weihrer and uOttawa had a three point advantage at the technical timeout. The Gee-Gees scored eight straight points to end the second set, winning 25-14.

Once again, the Warriors competed hard to begin the third set, and were able to sustain their high level of play, taking a 16-11 lead at the technical timeout-Ottawa made some uncharacteristic errors to help Waterloo's cause. Down 20-14, Myriam English scored a crucial kill and created another Gee-Gees point off a strong serve to keep her team in the game, but Ottawa eventually succumbed to a 25-19 defeat.

Waterloo's momentum carried into the fourth set, as the Warriors earned a 10-5 advantage early in the fourth frame. The Gee-Gees cut Waterloo's lead to just 15-14, thanks to some top-notch serving from sophomore middle Alix Durivage and Ottawa managed to take the lead at 17-16 after a 7-1 run. In the end, the Gee-Gees got the points when they needed it most, beating Waterloo 25-20 in the final set of play.

"In the third set, we let off the gas a little bit, and I thought Waterloo did a good job after we opened the door. In game four, we were also behind, but once we caught them, we were okay. I thought the maturity of our starting lineup got us back in it in game four," said Woods.

uOttawa will continue its current homestand against McMaster Marauders on Jan. 19.

1 2 3 4 Final

Waterloo 12 14 25 20 1

Gee-Gees 25 25 19 25 3

Gee-Gees leading players: Karina Krueger Schwanke 13 kills, 15 digs, 4 assists, Myriam English 12 kills, 9 digs

Warriors leading players: Clara Tse 13 kills, 7 digs, Shannon Lodoen 9 kills, 6 digs