MONTREAL – Geneviève Plante, a junior power-hitter from Montreal, registered 11 kills, a game-high 22 digs and one stuff block as the McGill women's volleyball team shook off the rust of a 34-day layoff and upset No.7-ranked Ottawa 3-1 in exhibition play at Love Competition Hall, Sunday.

It marked the second time in three meetings that the unranked Martlets had knocked off the Gee-Gees, who lead the OUA conference with a 9-1 record.

After dropping the first set 19-25, the Martlets roared back to win 25-19, 25-23 and 25-23.

“It's never easy to be sharp after such a long break but we had a pretty good few days of intense practice and it made a difference for us today, especially after the first set,” said McGill head coach Rachele Beliveau, who has guided the Martlets to a 16-13 record overall. “It was a good, consistent, team effort, right until the last point.”

Virginie Hébert of St. Donat, Que., added 11 kills of her own, to go along with four digs, three aces and 1.5 stuff blocks. Also posting 11 kills was engineering freshman Catherine Amyot, a 5-foot-10 power-hitter from Ottawa, who added 13 digs and three aces. Rookie Ashley Norfleet of Brossard, Que., and Marie-Christine Lapointe of St. Jean sur Richelieu, Que., contributed eight kills apiece.

Marcela Mansure, a fifth-year setter from Brazil, racked up 41 assists.

The game was only added to the McGill schedule a few weeks ago, along with two other tough opponents in the coming week. Up next for the Martlets is No.2-ranked Trinity Western, visiting from Langley, B.C., who will play at McGill on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 5 p.m.  The Spartans sit second in the Canada West conference with a 10-2 record. The Manitoba Bisons (7-5) will also visit the Currie gym on Thursday at 1 p.m.
 

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman
 McGill Sports Info Office
514-398-7012
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca