The Lakehead University women’s volleyball team is heading to Toronto to face the York University Lions on January 30, 2026, in a match that will help decide their playoff future. The team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, is entering a critical part of their season as they fight for a spot in the OUA playoffs. This away series is one of the final hurdles for the team before the regular season ends in February.
Coach Hayden Nichol, who was hired by Lakehead University in June 2023 to rebuild the program, will lead the team through two matches at the Tait McKenzie Centre. The Thunderwolves are currently battling for one of the top eight spots in the OUA standings. A successful weekend in Toronto could move the team up several spots, giving them a better path toward the post-season.
Local fans who cannot make the trip to Southern Ontario can still watch the action live from home. The first match is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, with a second game following on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Both games will be available on OUA.tv. Note: OUA transitioned OUA.tv to a subscription model for select sports for the 2025–26 season, but women’s volleyball matches remained free to view with a registered OUA.tv account.
The match-up is expected to be a close contest, as both schools have historically competed for the final playoff seeds. While the Thunderwolves often enjoy a strong home-court advantage in Thunder Bay, this weekend will test their ability to perform on the road against a veteran opponent. The outcome of these two games will play a major role in determining if the team qualifies for the playoffs starting on February 20, 2026.
