The men are positioned in second place with a record of five wins and three losses and they inflicted the only loss on the Vert et Or in the last match before the schedule break. Head coach Gino Brousseau likes what he sees from his team.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re working very hard overall and I really believe we’re building something solid for the future. The guys give a constant effort and I can’t ask for more right now.”
Gino Brousseau always insists on the collectivity of a group rather than individualism. (Frederic Matte/The Sun)
With a core of players still young, some young veterans have gained momentum in the last year. This is the case of attacker Max Losier who is a player who stands out for Laval.
“We have several players who have shown good things, but we still lack consistency. Max played some good volleyball for us, but I really believe we won and lost as a team and that’s how I want our players to behave until the end of the year.
With the Vert et Or ranked third in the country, there is no doubt for Brousseau that they are still the favorites to win.
“They still have four big players from last year’s dominant edition and it’s a late-cycle lineup. They have excellent cohesion and they know how to behave in big points. However, I believe that we are getting closer and closer to their level and I am confident that our club will continue to progress. The goal remains to play at our best at the end of the year and we will see where we are.”
Justine Raymond is still playing good volleyball for Laval. (Louis Charland/Rouge et Or)
Girls on the rise
The women’s team is in third place in the RSEQ after the fall session with a record of six wins and four losses. A much better situation than last year when the club fought in every match to participate in the playoffs.
“The whole work is interesting. We have had a lot of changes in the lineup and we still need to find some collective consistency. We were really good at times, but we have to be able to play an entire match at a high level,” explains head coach Olivier Faucher.
Experienced player Justine Raymond was the one who contributed the most offensively.
“She’s playing well, but I don’t think she’s playing to her full potential yet. It will come. I also liked the work of our two young players Léonie Goupil and Alexandryne Le Roy Audy in the central position.”
Just like the men, Laval wants to defeat Sherbrooke who has not yet lost this season.
“Montreal (8th in the country) also only has one defeat, but the way Sherbrooke (4th in the country) plays, we must consider them as the favorite team to win. They are not invincible, however, and we are the only team that has managed to take two rounds from them this season.”
Faucher also assures that the better positioning of his team in the rankings than last year will allow him to have optimal preparation for the playoffs.
The women’s team will also head to Edmonton to start the month of January with a tour of games against Alberta, Calgary and a Japanese team.
“It’s still very high caliber in the West and we want to prepare for our second portion of the calendar. I’m also looking forward to seeing the Japanese team. Japan usually plays with a fast pace in attack and has a tight defense.
