RECRUIT ANNOUNCEMENT: Women’s volleyball adds libero, Jess Goodman, to 2024-25 recruiting class

The Gee-Gees women’s volleyball program is proud to announce their third recruit for the 2024-25 season with the signing of Jessica Goodman.

From London, ON., Goodman will join the Gee-Gees as a libero next fall.

After meeting Ottawa’s head assistant coach, Sophie Carpentier, Goodman explored the idea of attending the University of Ottawa, eventually visiting campus, and practicing with the team.

“I absolutely loved the atmosphere and intimacy,” Goodman said. “The girls showed me around the locker room before practice and made me feel at home.”

“Jess came on her recruiting visit to see what might be possible and impressed us so much with her court presence, maturity, and performance,” said Gee-Gees head coach, Lionel Woods. “With another year of u18 premier club volleyball on her resume, there is no doubt Jess will come in ready to be a big part of our 1-2 punch at the libero position.”

Goodman values her duties as a libero and looks to motivate and uplift her teammates. 

“I consider myself a leader, not just by voice and attitude, but how I fit the libero role and always do my best to encourage and lift my teammates up,” said Goodman. “As competitive and strategic as I can be, I play my best when I am having fun.”

In addition to the connection Goodman has already built with the team, the program’s return to the OUA, the position specific coaches, along with other resources the school and team provide were a few things that caught her attention while exploring the possibility of attending the University of Ottawa.

Goodman will be playing for Smash Raiders Velocity as well as her high school team at Sir Frederick Banting S.S. for the 2023-24 season while keeping up with the Gee-Gees online.

“I’m going to stream a lot of games and hopefully catch one when we’re in town for an OVA tournament in November,” Goodman said. “The other recruits in my class and I have connected through socials, and current players have reached out as well.” 

“Jess is the third commitment of our 2024-25 class. She will be a key member of one of our largest recruiting classes in recent memory,” said Woods. “We plan to add another two or three to bring us to an exciting group of five or six players that will grow up together and see what they can accomplish as we return to the OUA conference starting in 2024.”

The Gee-Gees first 2023-24 regular season game is right around the corner. They’ll get started on Oct. 15^th in Montreal with their home opener the following weekend vs Laval (Oct. 21) and UQTR (Oct. 22) at Montpetit Hall. The full season schedule can be found at GeeGees.ca.