The Windsor Lancers women's basketball team is headed to the CIS National Championship Tournament this weekend for the second straight season.
Windsor is coming into the weekend as the reigning OUA Champions, as they knocked off the Ottawa Gee Gee's 83-55 to capture their second OUA Championship in a row.
The Lancers head into the tournament seeded No. 2, only behind the defending national champion Simon Fraser Clan. After an impressive 21-1 regular season, Coach Vallee's squad has been in the national ranking all year and are one of the favourites to challenge for the CIS Championship title this weekend.
One year removed from their first ever birth into the National Tournament, the power house Lancers are returning with a bitter taste left from their 4th place finish in Regina.
Last year saw the Lancers win their opening game against the University of Saskatchewan, before dropping their next two, including the bronze medal game in heartbreaking fashion against the University of Alberta 64-62.
With seven returning players, the faster and bigger 2010 Lancers will look to use their big game experience earned in last year's tournament to search for their first CIS National title.
The addition of 6'3 France native Jessica Clemencon has made the Lancers into one of the tallest and toughest teams to play against in the country. The OUA West Rookie of the Year led all rookies in scoring (3rd in the OUA) and she finished 5th in Ontario in field goal percentage at 49.5%.
Friday's opening round will see Windsor take on Ottawa at 1 p.m. in a rematch of the OUA final, Saskatchewan battle Cape Breton at 3 p.m., SFU open its title defence against McMaster at 6 p.m., and Regina square off against Laval in the 8 p.m. nightcap.
Cable 14 will have regional broadcasts of all main-bracket duels leading up to the title match, with SSN Canada providing the webcast. TVCogeco will broadcast Friday's quarter-final game LIVE at 1:00pm in the Windsor-Essex community.
Seeded No. 1 for the third straight season and for the fourth time in six years, the Clan will be joined in Hamilton by the No. 2 Windsor Lancers (OUA champions), No. 3 Saskatchewan Huskies (Canada West bronze medalists), No. 4 Regina Cougars (Canada West finalists), No. 5 Laval Rouge et Or (QSSF champions), No. 6 Cape Breton Capers (AUS champions), No. 7 Ottawa Gee-Gees (OUA finalists), as well as the tournament hosts, the No. 8 McMaster Marauders.
All are returnees from last year's championship in Regina, with the exception of McMaster, which is back after a one-year absence.
The Department of Athletic has organized round trip fan buses who wish to travel to the cheer on the Lancers in Hamilton on Saturday and Sunday. For more information please contact the Department of Athletics at 519-253-3000 ext 2437.
