GUELPH, Ont. - The University of Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team takes the court Friday night (Nov. 3) at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre to officially tip off their 2023-24 season, hosting the Ottawa Gee-Gees in their season opener. Ahead of the Gryphons lies a 22-game regular season schedule which will see the team contend with 18 other OUA women's basketball programs across three divisions. The Gryphons will once again compete in the OUA West Division along with the Western Mustangs, Waterloo Warriors, Windsor Lancers, Laurier Golden Hawks, and Algoma Thunderbirds.
At the conclusion of the regular season 12 teams will earn a spot in the 2023-24 postseason, with the three division winners and best second-place team earning a bye through to the quarterfinal round. The next six teams with the best record in the OUA will compete in the preliminary round of the postseason which is set to begin on February 12, 2024. Following the Gryphons season-opener against the Gee-Gees the team will return to their home court on Saturday night (Nov. 4) when they host the 2022-23 national champion Carleton Ravens.
"We are very excited to get this new season underway," says head coach
Megan Reid, who enters her second season in charge of the University of Guelph women's basketball program. "I think we are going to surprise a lot of people this season, but I am happy to fly under the radar. With some adaptation to our style of play this season we are adding layers each week and will continue to get better as the season progresses. I believe in this team and they believe in each other, and with the work ethic I have seen so far this year I cannot wait to get things going."
Leading the way for the Gryphons this season is a pair of third-year student-athletes in
Renee Armstrong and
Julia Colavecchia. Following the departure of MaKeely Shantz and
Natalie Vigna, Armstrong and Colavecchia will be tasked with replacing the majority of the offensive production from the two veterans last season.
Renee Armstrong, a 5-foot-8 guard from London, Ontario, has shown to be one of the most dynamic players in the conference, effecting play at both ends of the court. Last season the child studies major produced the second-most points on the team (207) while also ranking among the OUA's best in assists (5th with 77) and steals (12th with 44). Colavecchia, a 5-foot-11 guard majoring in family studies and human development, finished the year right behind Armstrong in points scored with 201. During her time with the Gryphon basketball program Colavecchia has proven herself to be another reliable two-way player who has a knack for finding the ball. The Niagra Falls native caused 46 turnovers last season (9th in the OUA) and turned aside 18 shot attempts (18th in the OUA) all while leading the team in three-pointers made (30).
Entering her third year of eligibility is 6-foot forward
Lucy Tesseyman, an explosive post player who brings quickness and athleticism to the Gryphon lineup . Tesseyman, a London native studying human kinetics, is another student-athlete who should see an expanded role in 2023-24. Last season, Tesseyman was the Gryphons most efficient offensive player, shooting 43.9 percent from the field with a point total of 121 while appearing in 18 games.
She was also a threat at the defensive end of the court, brining in 52 defensive rebounds, 26 steals, and 10 blocks (10th in the OUA). Alongside Tesseyman is veteran forward
Trinity Papamandjaris who enters her final season with the Gryphons. A strong offseason has the 6-foot-1 bio-medical science major looking faster, strong, and ready to be a steady influence in the middle of the Gryphon offence. Papamandjaris has established herself as a strong interior passer after totaling 18 assist last season and should once again eb an impact player in the Gryphon half court. Finally,
Hannah Bourdon highlights the core of second-year athletes. The 5-foot-10 Fort Erie native is a defensive specialist who showed flashes of her ability last season while coming off of the bench, producing 20 steals.
The Gryphons women's basketball team will look to get back to the OUA postseason this year and continue their streak of five consecutive seasons with a playoff berth. Game time for Friday night's season-opener against the Gee-Gees is set for 8pm with tickets available at gryphons.ca/tickets. The game can also be seen live online at www.oua.tv.
