After their best national finish since 2012 on home court last season at the U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship, Queen’s Men’s Volleyball is looking to continue their momentum through this season.
“I think we continue to build on a strong culture of making sure that everyone is bought into one common goal. We have lofty goals this season, no different than last year,” Head Coach Gabe deGroot remarked.
Heading into the winter break, the Gaels have a 9-3 record on the season, with their three losses coming from splitting weekends against Windsor, York, and Toronto.
In their double header against Windsor — who is currently ranked first in the OUA — the Gaels dropped Friday night’s match in five before coming back to secure a clean sweep on Saturday.
“It was the first time this year that we came out all three sets with the energy and starting fast. I think it just has to do with a relentless belief in our process from the service line and staying aggressive,” Outside Zig Licis (Computer Engineering) said.
The Gaels are currently ranked third in the OUA and sixth in U SPORTS. Several Queens’ players also sit in the provincial and national rankings.
Gallery: (12-17-2024) Queen’s Men’s Volleyball
Setter Chris Zimmerman (Arts) has been an incredibly consistent player for the Gaels through the past three season and is fifth in QMVB all-time assists. This year, Zimmerman is ranked first provincially and nationally in assists. Zimmerman’s deceptive serve has also secured a second place ranking in the OUA in service aces.
Another Gael leads the OUA in service aces; Reed Venning (Arts & Science) sits in first place with 24.
On offence, Venning and Licis lead the Gaels and the league. Venning is ranked first in the OUA in points and kills and is also nationally third in kills. Licis is fourth in the OUA in kills, kills per set, and points, despite missing a few matches due to injury.
“He’s been here before. He wasn’t always the guy who had the limelight in the past, but he’s learned how to get it done in tight moments and he’s been part of big matches,” deGroot said of Licis.
Middle Dax Tompkins (Arts) leads the Gaels in blocks through the first half of the season with 44. Tompkins is also second in the OUA in assisted and total blocks and is fourth in QMVB career blocks.
Looking ahead to next semester, the Gaels get back to action on Jan. 17, taking on the Gulph Gryphons (5-5) on the road.
Queen’s lone home weekend against the Western Mustangs will one that fans won’t want to miss. The Mustangs are currently ranked fourth in the OUA with a 5-3 record.
In their penultimate weekend of the season, Queen’s will take on the reigning Forsyth Cup champions, The McMaster Marauders, on Feb. 7 and 8. The Marauders have a 4-6 record heading into the winter break.
The Gaels’ “relentless belief” that they can win every set, and every match will continue to carry them through the rest of the regular season.
“We talk a lot about riding the wave. Volleyball’s a big momentum sport and there’s going to be down points, there’s going to be up points, but we know that if we stay the course and stay true to what were doing we’re going to come through in the end,” Tompkins remarked.