Queen’s Women’s Volleyball leads the OUA heading into winter break

In their first season with Head Coach Shanice Marcelle, Queen’s Women’s Volleyball has continued to dominate the OUA and beyond.

After an undefeated preseason, the Gaels went on to build a 11-1 record through the first half of the regular season. Heading into the winter break they are on a nine-game win streak and are ranked first in the OUA and third in U SPORTS.

With this impressive record, the Gaels have secured seven clean sweeps and haven’t dropped a match at home.

The only match that the Gaels dropped this season was to the 2024 Quigley Cup champions, the Brock Badgers. After dropping their Friday night match, Queen’s came back to take the next match in four, demonstrating their resilience.

“I think winning the second night against Brock really helped them know that they can compete with top teams,” Head Coach Shanice Marcelle remarked.
 

Gallery: (12-17-2024) Queen’s Women’s Volleyball

While the team is led by a new coach, many members have had years of experience playing in the OUA and are continuing to anchor the Gaels on the court.

Fifth-year middle, Amanda Siksna (Education), is a dominate defensive force for the Gaels. Siksna recorded 60 blocks this season alone and 122 blocks in her career, leading her to be the QWVB program leader in all-time blocks.

Siksna also tops the provincial and national statistics for blocking, ranked first in the OUA in all blocking categories and second in the nation in solo blocks.

“She is so athletic and so high up there,” Marcelle said. “Our middles do a tremendous job of being able to know what the setter on the other side of the net is running, what the priority is, and then they’re so fast on their first move that they’re able to get into all zones.”

From the service line, second-year outside Claire Carter (Business) is also a force to be reckoned with. Carter is currently leading the OUA and U SPORTS in aces and broke the QWVB single game record with nine aces in their Oct. 25 match against the Nipissing Lakers.

“Over the summer I worked with a lot of coaches, especially with the national program, to build that strength and control, as well as placement on the court,” Carter said.

Outside Hannah Duchesneau (Arts & Science) is also making a significant offensive impact for Queen’s. Duchesneau just cracked the Top 5 all-time kill leaders in QWVB program history with a total of 567 kills and is ranked third in in the OUA in kills.

This year, the Queens’ offence is run by a new setter, Kennedy Millian (Education), who has done an incredible job leading the charge. Millian is currently second in the OUA and U SPORTS in assists.

Looking ahead to next semester, Queen’s Women’s Volleyball will benefit from a first week bye and will be back in action on Jan. 17 in Guelph to take on the Gryphons.

The team will also face more away games than they did in the past semester, with only one home double header on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

This home weekend will be a big one for the Gaels as they take on the Western Mustangs, who are ranked second in the OUA and tenth nationally with a 9-1 record.

“We work so hard, and I think our team deserves all the success that we’ve been given right now,” said Mary Stewart (Education). “I’m excited to see what the next half of the season will bring.”