OSHAWA, Ont. – With nearly half of the team being new players – the Durham College women's volleyball team gained valuable experience in their opening exhibition match of the 2017-18 season, coming from behind to defeat the Redeemer Royals 3-2 in Oshawa on Friday night. 

Durham opened the match down 7-0, but battled back and lost the opening set only 25-18. In the second set the Lords won 25-21, guaranteeing the squads would get at least four sets in – giving both coaches the opportunity to look at multiple options for their lineup. 

The team traded the next two sets, with Redeemer winning the third 25-20 before a lopsided 25-13 for the Lords. 

In the fifth Durham also held the advantage, winning 15-9. 

Jessica Joensen (Pickering, Ont.) led the team with a match-high 17 points, finishing with 16 kills and an ace. 

In their first matches with the green and gold, Sarah Rayment (Whitby, Ont.) and Alexa Armstrong (Whitby, Ont.) each finished with four kills, while Jonika Babb (Oshawa, Ont.) had a team-high two blocks. 

At the service line Nicole Vandenheuvel (Whitby, Ont.) had four service aces. 

For the Royals, Abby Sluys had 10 kills and two aces to lead her team's offence.

Next weekend the Lords will continue their preseason in Montreal at Cégep André-Laurendau as they compete in the Montreal Cup. Their opening match of the OCAA season is October 26 against the Georgian Grizzlies. 

QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 1-0
Conference Record: 0-0

Next Match: Montreal Cup (September 30 to October 1)