Following a trip to the Forsyth Cup and the U SPORTS bronze medal game, the University of Windsor Lancers men’s volleyball team is beginning a new era following the graduation of ten players.
“I would consider this a transition year because we graduated over half of our roster for the first time, so it’s unchartered waters, ” said head coach James Gravelle. “We have a great opportunity to lessen the burden with our performance, and we’re building everything towards our first game against Western on October 30.”
This summer, they said goodbye to team captain and 2026 Olympic Shield winner Gustavo Siqueira, 2025 Olympic Shield winner Markus Law-Heese, and Darian Koskie, among others, but a foundational recruiting class gives this program much optimism entering 2026-27.
NOTABLE RETURNING PLAYERS
Kal-El McNeilly
A recipient of the University of Windsor’s Karen Harvie Memorial Scholarship, the Sports Management major and Toronto native appeared in the OUA regular season, OUA playoffs, and the U SPORTS Championship as a freshman last season, playing 11 sets for the Lancers.
“He will be a key piece for us and a leader this year,” described Gravelle. “The sky is the limit.”
Noah Nsolo
As a junior, the 6-foot-4 outside hitter and kinesiology major will be a vital piece for Gravelle’s program this season in the locker room and on the court. The Ottawa native played in six regular season games last year, posting 17 kills, 16 digs, and six blocks.
Marcellus Robinson
Like Nsolo, Robinson is also a kinesiology major on this team and a 6-foot-6 middle, appearing in five regular season games last year with three kills, three blocks, two assists, and a dig.
NEW PLAYERS
Davis Hinshelwood
The headliner in this 2026 class, according to Gravelle, Hinshelwood was considered the best libero recruit available after showing incredible defensive and passing skills, earning OVA Grand Prix All-Star honours with Pakmen Volleyball in Toronto. The Faculty of Human Kinetics student has also won gold at U17 provincials and silver at U18 nationals.
Thomas Verwey
A native of Nanaimo, British Columbia, the 6-foot-6 middle was the first to commit and played beach and indoor volleyball growing up, culminating in British Columbia U18 All-Star honours last season on a loaded Apex Volleyball Club roster. Upon recruiting the Sports Management major, Gravelle said Verwey “could have an immediate impact for our program.”
Jakob Anderson
Beyond his towering 6-foot-9 frame, what stands out the most about the Peterborough native is his ability to learn on the fly quickly while being a great teammate. He won a U18 national title with the Durham Attack last season and also was named an OVA Grand Prix All-Star.
Micah Huisman, an Amherstburg native and 6-foot-6 middle, Connor Gunn, a 6-foot-0 outside hitter from Milton, Reed Fulsom, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter from Waterdown, and Cam Bradbury, a 6-foot-7 middle blocker from Burlington, round out this year’s recruiting class.
2025-26 STAT LEADERS
Kills: Gustavo Siqueira – 258
Hitting Percentage: Darian Koskie – .475
Assists: Markus Law-Heese – 690
Points: Gustavo Siqueira – 309.0
Digs: Noah Koskie – 207
Blocks: Darian Koskie – 62
Service Aces: Kaden Reid – 27
KEY MATCHUPS
November 13 vs McMaster
These Lancers get the provincial behemoth during their home opener this year, as no school has won more OUA men’s volleyball championships since 2007-08 than McMaster has (12), highlighted by nine titles from 2008-18.
“We always get the best from our opponents, and that won’t change,” mentioned the back-to-back OUA Coach of the Year. “It’s been a long summer, and we’re getting itchy.”
November 27 vs Brock
Following a four-set thriller at home in January, Windsor will look to continue its five-game win streak against the Badgers. Brock desperately wants to return to the playoffs, too, as their last winning season came in 2023-24 (15-5).
February 13 vs Toronto
While the Lancers are 3-0 at the Toldo Lancer Centre versus the Blues, Toronto remains a perennial OUA men’s volleyball powerhouse, posting an 87-23 conference record since 2019-20 and reaching the U SPORTS Championship twice within that same period.
February 20 vs Guelph
Windsor completes its regular season home slate versus a Gryphons side that tied the provincial champions in regular season wins and points last season. Guelph has also not won the Forsyth Cup since 1977-78, so both teams will be hungry to have a strong showing before the playoffs begin.
“Our team loves playing at the Toldo Lancer Centre, and it’s the best gym in the country,” said Gravelle. “Our fans are incredible and a huge inspiration for everyone in our program!”
Tickets are available for purchase at golancers.ca/tickets, or you can watch online at oua.tv.