EDMONTON, Alta. – The NAIT Ooks will begin their 2019-2020 season on Friday when they battle the Thunder at Concordia University of Edmonton.

The Ooks are coming off a heartbreaking season. The team was one of the top teams in the ACAC all season long, only to lose their Setter, ACAC North player of the Year, and CCAA-All-Canadian – Mitch Lewington, to a broken ankle in the final regular-season game. The Ooks would then fall short of a medal at the ACAC Championship, which they hosted.

The upcoming season is one filled with both change and stability. The biggest difference is at the head coaching position. Head coach Doug Anton has elected to take a six-month leave, turning the team over to longtime assistant coach Greg Gulash in the interim. 

On the player side of things,  NAIT has a strong core of returners from last year's roster, including, previously mentioned - Mitch Lewington,  ACAC Rookie of the Year - Jonathan Shapka, and ACAC All-Conference - Devon Klein.

Joining the solid core of returners is former ACAC All-star and Rookie of the year, third-year transfer from Keyano College – Radek Brzozowski, third-year Briecrest College transfer – Jared Krogen and first-year Australian import Gai Gai. One other notable addition is that of Spencer Fisher, who returns to the Ooks for his fifth-year of eligibility after playing a year of USports volleyball at Nippissing University in Ontario.

NAIT's season opener will be at Concordia Univerisity at 8:00 pm on Friday. The Ooks will then host the Thunder at 8:00 pm on Saturday.