HAMILTON, Ont. — Following another successful campaign that saw the McMaster Marauders women’s volleyball team reach the OUA Championship final, the Marauders enter the 2026-27 season determined to take the next step and compete for a conference title.
After finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 15-5 record, McMaster carried its momentum into the postseason, earning victories over Windsor and Western before falling to Brock in the OUA Championship final.
With an experienced returning core led by All-Canadian outside hitter Olivia Julien (Toronto, Ont.), several emerging young players and new additions across the lineup, the Marauders are looking to remain among the conference’s top contenders.
2025-26 Season at a Glance
| Category |
Result |
| Regular Season Record |
15-5 |
| Home Record |
8-2 |
| Away Record |
7-3 |
| Postseason |
OUA Silver Medal |
2025-26 Regular Season Statistics
| Category |
McMaster |
| Kills Per Set |
11.93 |
| Hitting Percentage |
0.218 |
| Assists Per Set |
11.21 |
| Service Aces Per Set |
2 |
| Digs Per Set |
15.13 |
| Blocks Per Set |
1.72 |
| Total Kills |
811 |
| Total Digs |
1,029 |
2025-26 Returning Statistical Leaders
Hitting percentage leader among returning players with at least 100 attack attempts.
New Additions
Key Departures
Key Returning Players
Olivia Julien | Outside Hitter
Julien returns for her fourth season with the Marauders as one of the most accomplished players in the conference, bringing an impressive collection of individual accolades and championship experience.
The five-foot-ten outside hitter earned U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and OUA First Team All-Star honours in 2025-26, adding to a decorated career that includes the 2023-24 OUA Rookie of the Year award and three consecutive OUA medals.
Julien led McMaster offensively last season, recording 233 kills, 176 digs and 27 service aces across 20 regular-season matches. She averaged 3.53 kills per set while finishing with a team-high 275.5 points.
Her production increased during the postseason, where she registered 43 kills and averaged 3.91 kills per set across three matches, helping guide the Marauders to another OUA Championship appearance.
As one of the team’s veteran leaders, Julien will once again be counted on to anchor McMaster’s attack while providing leadership to a roster featuring several developing players.
Lucie Shaver | Outside Hitter
Shaver (Surrey, B.C.) enters her third season with the Marauders looking to build on a promising 2025-26 campaign that saw her emerge as an important contributor in McMaster’s outside-hitting rotation.
The five-foot-eleven outside hitter appeared in 14 regular-season matches, recording 91 kills, 73 digs and 101.5 points while averaging 2.27 kills per set.
Shaver delivered some of her strongest performances during the postseason, recording 32 kills across 11 sets while averaging 2.91 kills per set. Her offensive production was instrumental in helping McMaster advance past Windsor and Western on its way to the OUA Championship final.
With the departure of Lutes, who recorded 128 kills last season, Shaver is positioned to take on an increased offensive role alongside Julien.
Her ability to contribute offensively while remaining involved in serve reception and defensive coverage will be important as the Marauders look to maintain a balanced attack throughout the upcoming campaign.
Angelika Vidmar | Middle
Vidmar returns for her fourth season with McMaster, providing the Marauders with an experienced and efficient presence in the middle.
The six-foot middle appeared in 17 regular-season matches during the 2025-26 campaign, recording 74 kills, 22 total blocks and 13 service aces.
Vidmar finished the regular season with a .328 hitting percentage, establishing herself as one of McMaster’s most efficient offensive contributors.
Her strong play continued into the postseason, where she recorded 19 kills across three matches while posting an impressive .425 hitting percentage. She also contributed four service aces and five total blocks during the Marauders’ championship run.
With Delamere departing following a season that featured 44 total blocks, Vidmar will be expected to take on an increased role at the net.
Her experience, attacking efficiency and ability to contribute on both sides of the ball will make her an important part of McMaster’s frontcourt throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
2026-27 Season Preview
The McMaster Marauders enter the 2026-27 season looking to build on a successful campaign that saw the program finish with a 15-5 regular-season record and earn its second consecutive OUA silver medal.
Under head coach Nathan Janzen, the Marauders have established themselves as consistent championship contenders, reaching the OUA final in each of the past three seasons. With another experienced roster returning, McMaster will look to translate that success into a conference title.
Leading the way will be fourth-year outside hitter Julien, whose offensive production and leadership have made her a cornerstone of the program. After earning U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian honours last season, Julien will once again be a central figure in McMaster’s attack.
Alongside Julien, third-year Shaver is expected to take on an expanded role following a strong postseason performance. Second-year Eva Lin (Markham, Ont.) also returns after appearing in all 20 regular-season matches during her rookie campaign, recording 63 kills and seven service aces.
In the middle, fourth-year Vidmar will provide a veteran presence after recording a .328 hitting percentage last season. Third-year Omosefe Osaghae (Barrie, Ont.) and second-year Keira Elliott (Aurora, Ont.) will also be counted on to strengthen McMaster’s frontcourt.
The Marauders will need to replace several important contributors from last season, including setters Dean and Victoria, along with outside hitter Lutes and middle Delamere.
Dean led McMaster with 372 assists during the regular season, while Victoria added another 108. Their departures create an opportunity for fourth-year Lauren Pastor (Etobicoke, Ont.), second-year Claire Fan (Oakville, Ont.), second-year Ella Genge (Burnaby, B.C.) and first-year Duong to compete for increased responsibilities in the setting rotation.
Defensively, third-year libero Wu returns after leading the team with 199 digs last season. Wu will be joined by fourth-year Victoria Potvin (Ottawa, Ont.), Kailee Young (Toronto, Ont.) and first-year Nagy, providing the Marauders with multiple options in the backcourt.
McMaster also welcomes first-year outside hitters Benjamin and Wahlgren, adding depth to an offensive group that will look to build on last season’s average of 11.93 kills per set.
Offensively, the Marauders will aim to maintain the balanced production that helped them record 811 kills and a .218 hitting percentage throughout the 2025-26 regular season. With several returning attackers and new contributors entering the rotation, McMaster will look to develop consistency and efficiency across its lineup.
Defensively, the Marauders will look to build on a campaign in which they averaged 15.13 digs and 1.72 blocks per set. With experienced players returning in both the frontcourt and backcourt, McMaster will continue to emphasize strong defensive coverage and the ability to turn extended rallies into offensive opportunities.
The Marauders’ 2025-26 postseason demonstrated their ability to perform in high-pressure situations, beginning with a straight-set victory over Windsor before defeating Western in four sets. Although their championship run ended against Brock, the experience of competing in another OUA final provides a foundation for the upcoming season.
With an established group of returning players, several promising newcomers and a continued emphasis on player development, McMaster enters the 2026-27 campaign determined to remain among the OUA’s top programs.
After consecutive appearances in the conference championship match, the Marauders will look to take the final step and bring another OUA title back to Hamilton.