Lancers expecting big things despite short bench

By Christine Hosler

Team captain Matt Woods launches for a serve during last nights game against Durham College. The Lancers won the home exhibition game three sets to none.

The Lady Lancers are looking at this year with a much more positive attitude.

The women’s team has only four returning players this year but co-captain Leighann Bishop is optimistic about the team coming together as a unit.

“The past few years I’ve been here, it’s just been a very negative atmosphere,” said Bishop in an interview. “This year, the first two games already I already see a huge improvement in our team.

“We’re completely positive with each other, there’s no rolling eyes, there’s no cattiness.”

Both the women’s and men’s Lancers played an exhibition match against the Durham Lords Wednesday at Loyalist College. Both won three sets in a row against the Lords.

For Bishop, it’s all about the team effort.

“One thing I like about being setter is I don’t care about my hit, I don’t care about what I do. It’s about what that person on the end of what I just did for them does,” said Bishop. “So, if they get a huge kill or do something smart with what I just gave them, I’d rather seem them get a huge kill than me get a huge kill.”

The Lancer teams each have only nine players, while the average volleyball team usually carries 12. Despite the short bench, the Lancers are eyeing the Ontario College Athletic Association provincials with hope.

“At least try to be top three for sure in the league.” said Tony Clarke, women’s head coach. “It’d be nice to get a bye into the provincial championships.”

Meanwhile, the men only added three new players this year to be a part of the rather small group, and they’re all fitting in well.

“We always have a smaller team than most teams but we come together well,” said Matt Woods, captain of the men’s volleyball team. “I think this is going to be a good year.”

So far head coach Dave Templar likes what he’s seen too.

“One of [the rookies] in particular sort of jumped on the starting line up there,” said Templar. “He’s a big kid, he’s had a big impact.”

The men and women played against the Fleming College Knights in their first exhibition match two weeks ago, and both Lancer teams won three sets in a row.

The Lancers’ first league game is November 4, where the women and men each play Trent’s volleyball teams at home starting 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively.