HAMILTON, Ont. —The McMaster Marauders women's volleyball team begins their regular season and raises their OUA Championship Banner at home on October 25th against the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

The Marauders are looking to go back-to-back as OUA champions after defeating Brock in the Quigley Cup Championship game last season. The Maroon lost three solid veterans going into this season, with McKinnon, Brookes, and Sundara all graduating, but the youth are looking to step up this season, as well as three new transfers.

Marauders Head Coach, Nathan Janzen, thinks this year will be different from past years. Janzen says, "I'm looking forward to us being chased as opposed to us doing the chasing. There's a massive target on our back, and I'm excited for our program to feel that pressure. For us to feel like we're the favorites and have to progress and learn what that feels like on a day-to-day basis, and against teams that are gunning for us every single time we play them."

Key Players
 
Olivia Julien (Toronto, Ont.), Outside Hitter
After being named a 2025-25 OUA First Team All-Star, Julien looks to pick back up where she left off. Julien finished the season with 199 kills and 2.80 kills per set.
 
Maddy Lutes (Barrie, Ont.), Outside Hitter
Going into her senior season with the Marauders, Lutes' maturity and leadership should be a key component to the team's success. She finished the season with 113 kills and 2.1 points per set.

Chayse Victoria (Oakville, Ont.) Setter
Although starting the season on the sideline, Victoria looks to continue her success when able to return to the team. She finished the season with 569 assists, and 1.0 points per set.

Coach Janzen is excited for the season and the target it puts on his team's back, saying, "…We're good enough to win, but that doesn't mean we're not going to get every team's very best every single time we see them. So I'm pumped for us to go through that process because it's been a long time since we've had to. But this is a privilege that comes along with winning"

Their first game is set to take place this Saturday, October 25 and 12 PM in the Burridge Gymnasium.

Purchase you single-match and season tickets here.

View McMaster's women's volleyball full 2025-26 schedule here.