University of Windsor Men's Volleyball

Gravelle is the head coach of the Lancer men's volleyball program.   Since taking over the Lancers in 2013 he has re-focused the team on the fundamentals, stressing individual skill-building, defensive intensity, and team unity every day.  The 2013-14 Lancers saw an improvement from 5 to 8 wins from the previous campaign and the 2014-15 season saw an improvement to 9 wins and a playoff berth for the first time in three seasons.   During the 2015 playoffs the Lancers upset the OUA #2 seed and CIS 9th ranked Ryerson Rams in the quarterfinals and moved to the OUA Final Four for the first time in 10 years. The Lancers battled hard and lost a tight match 3-1 in the OUA semi-finals to the eventual champion and CIS #1-ranked McMaster Marauders.  In the bronze medal match the Lancers lost in five tough sets to the York Lions but walked away from the Final Four with much needed playoff experience and the respect of the entire OUA. A Windsor native and proud Lancer alumnus, James brings an impressive playing resume to the table.  He was a four-year member of the Lancers (1994-98), team captain from 1996-98, selected two-time team MVP (1996-98), and a two-time OUA West First Team All-Star (1996-98).   Following graduation in 1998 (Bachelor of Arts, English) Gravelle moved to Toronto to train for a beach volleyball career that included a three-year run on the FIVB World Tour (2000-02) and a spot on the Canadian National Beach Volleyball Team.  A career World Tour highlight was defeating the reigning Olympic Gold medalists from the USA, Blanton/Fonoimoana, in Ostend, Belgium (2001).  Canadian tour highlights include BC (1997) and Ontario (2000) Provincial Championship gold medals, three Canadian Pro Tour Tournament gold medals (2000-01), and a Beach Nationals bronze medal (2001).   James has over 15 years of coaching experience of both indoor and beach volleyball at many levels.  Locally he has coached both Senior Boys and Girls teams at Holy Names High School to OFSAA berths, including a AAAA Provincial Bronze medal for the Boys in 2011.  He was the Lancers Assistant Coach from 2011-13.  His beach coaching experience ranges from youth coaching at the local level to coaching Team NWT Canada Games Beach teams in 2009 and 2013.   James is an NCCP Level 2 certified coach and is currently working toward Level 3 certification.