RECAP: Women’s volleyball energizes Montpetit Hall during home opening weekend against the York Lions

The Gee-Gees women's volleyball team were at home for the first time in the 2024-25 season, welcoming the York Lions to Montpetit Hall on Friday night. The double header did not lack any energy as the Gee-Gees went to five sets in back-to-back games.

Friday night's opening set was a back-and-forth contest as the team's exchanged points. Ottawa gained the edge, and Nicole Hildebrand sent a kill to back line to make it set point. A missed serve by the Lions ended the opening set 25-17 in favour of the Gee-Gees.

The second set started like the first but this time, it was the Lions who inched ahead, taking set two 25-22.

In the third, the Gee-Gees captain, Audrey Odigie took it upon herself to dismantle the Lions' lead. Recovering from a five-point deficit, the Gee-Gees claimed the lead. Nicole Hildebrand took over nearing the end of the set, slamming down a kill before stepping up for a serving run.

Camryn Giddens secured the comeback, her kill winning the set 25-22 to give Ottawa the 2-1 lead.

The Lions earned a 25-11 win in the fourth to force a fifth set. They rode their momentum, winning the fifth set 15-7 to take the game 3-2.

Brynn Lewis and Nicole Hildebrand led the way on defence, each logging 11 digs. Hildebrand was the evening's kill leader with 16, Odigie following closely behind with 15. Setter, Harper Schaefer totalled 32 assists.

On Saturday, York came out hot, taking a 6-0 lead in the first set. The Gee-Gees were unable to make up for their deficit, giving up the first 25-15.

The Gee-Gees snuck ahead with plays down the middle from Janae McKay and Christine Hachokake. Ottawa continued onto a dominant run, closing the set 25-10.

Set three was a much closer contest.  Hildebrand and Hachokake got creative at the net, tying things up at 20-20. The Lions managed to pull things in their favour, winning 25-21.

The Gee-Gees took set four with the same score, taking the game to a fifth and final set. York took an 8-3 lead, but the Gee-Gees got their footing back, tying things up at 13 a piece. Despite the effort, the Lions took the set 15-13 to win the game 3-2.

"We played extremely well and battled toe-to-toe," said Gee-Gees head coach, Lionel Woods. "It was about who could go on the runs at the right time. Sometimes you can't control the scoreboard. I'm really proud of the effort we put in today."

Ottawa is back in action as they head to Lakehead next weekend for 6 p.m. games on Nov. 22 and 23. The team will be back on home court on Nov. 29 and 30 to host the Brock Badgers.