Cougars Capture First Win Since Re-Opening Women’s Volleyball Program

The Cougars women's volleyball team reached a major milestone this past weekend, earning their first win since the program was reintroduced to the college. Competing in OCAA action against the Mohawk Mountaineers, the Cougars finished 1–1 in the series they played against the Mountaineers this weekend, continuing to show steady progress as a program.

Liz Gavey provided the offensive push the Cougars needed to secure the historic victory. Over the weekend, Gavey delivered a stellar all-around performance, recording 22 kills, one service ace, and 12 digs, emerging as a key contributor to the Cougars' return to conference competition.

The weekend opened with a tightly contested match on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as the Cougars dropped a 3–1 decision in a series of close sets. Despite the result, the match highlighted the team's competitiveness and set the stage for a strong bounce-back performance.

That response came on Sunday, January 25, when the Cougars took full control of the match, earning a decisive 3–0 victory over the Mountaineers. The Cougars played with purpose from the opening serve, running a fast, balanced offense while maintaining disciplined defensive coverage. Strong setter-hitter connections and smart shot selection allowed the Cougars to exploit gaps in Mohawk's defense, while consistent court coverage and block touches kept pressure on every rally.

The win carried significance beyond just the scoreboard, marking the program's first victory since returning to OCAA volleyball.

"As a coaching staff, and honestly anyone who watches this group, we've always known how talented these athletes are and how strong this team can be," said Cougars head coach Becky Grisdale. "The pieces have been there all along. We just needed them to believe in themselves the way we believe in them, and today, they did. When this team plays with that confidence and trust in each other, they're incredibly tough to stop."

Other standout performances included Darby Sewell, who posted 23 kills, three service aces, 11 digs, and two blocks. Payton Baker assisted the offense with seven kills, six service aces, 56 assists, and 10 digs, while Alara Sheehan anchored the defense with a team-leading 19 digs and one assist.

With their first win since re-opening now secured, Gavey and the Cougars will look to build on their momentum as they prepare to host the Sheridan Bruins this upcoming weekend.