By Kyla Pugen

As another athletic year kicks off, many of the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) varsity programs have begun their preseason campaigns.

Each program faces a unique test this year, from defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) titles to clinching playoff hopes, the men’s and women’s basketball, hockey and volleyball programs look to etch a positive mark on another year. Before the banners are raised and the standings take form, here is The Eyeopener’s ultimate Bold season preview for the 2026-27 season. 

Women’s Basketball: Bearing the target

Returning to the court as defending OUA champions, the TMU Bold women’s basketball team enters the season well aware of the expectations held to their name.

According to second-year guard Ella McDonald, holding onto that title means preserving the core strategies that interim head coach Stefanija Mrvaljevic hopes to carry on from her predecessor Carly Clarke. This includes themes of identity, perseverance and trust. 

“Going into this season, we’re gonna have every team on our backs, every team is going to want to be us this year,” McDonald said. “It’s just about keeping our core identity, knowing who we are as players and how we get together and how we play together.”

After capturing the Critelli Cup last year, the team faced an unfortunate finish in Québec, ending sixth in U Sports rankings. Returning to 2026-27 with a close-knit core, the roster hopes to weather the adversity ahead to return to the OUA final.

“In the hard times, we have to figure out ways to bring each other up and celebrate,” McDonald noted. “There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs this season… so sticking together is the main thing.” 

Men’s Basketball: Entering the post-Rhooms era 

While the women’s program relies on stability, the Bold men’s basketball team enters the season at a pivotal crossroads: life after Aaron Rhooms. 

Following a legendary career where the program icon picked up U SPORTS Player of the Year honours and led the Bold to a Wilson Cup championship, TMU officially steps into the post-Rhooms era for the first time in five seasons. 

With heavy roster turnover, the burden of continuity falls on returning core veteran pieces like third-year guard Kevin Toth. 

“I’m really just trying to mentor and just be as vocal as I can,” Toth said. “And help introduce them to what the standard is here at TMU.” 

Toth also emphasized that maintaining TMU’s championship pedigree will require early chemistry: “We just gotta be connected…Last year, our locker room and chemistry was pretty unmatched…The biggest part is to make sure we can get there with this group.” 

Without Rhooms attracting the opposing defence’s focus, TMU will rely on a collective effort to distribute the scoring. 

“You can’t replace him because he’s one of one,” Toth acknowledged. “It’s just gaps and pieces that need to be filled… it’s going to be a different team, and we’re excited to see how it looks.”

Women’s Hockey: Looking for their x-factor

For the Bold women’s hockey team, the path to a postseason return begins with a sustainable preseason regiment. To prioritize player health, TMU cancelled its third exhibition fixture, originally scheduled for Sept. 26 against the Nipissing University Lakers. 

In a written statement to The Eye, TMU Athletics digital marketing and communications administrator Kristian Cuaresma said, “TMU cancelled the game due to injuries and illness to multiple players. With the second month of classes, a road trip out east, and the start of the regular season coming up, it was in the best interest of the team to take this weekend off.”

Posting a 6-20-0 record last year, the Bold will look to improve their consistency, as well as acclimatize six new rookies to the lineup, some of whom have already stood out in preseason.

If TMU can establish game-to-game stability, that identity will be the push they need to punch a ticket back into the McCaw Cup playoff picture. 

Men’s Hockey: Going for gold

Since the heartbreaking overtime loss to the Queen’s University Gaels in last year’s OUA bronze medal game, the Bold men’s hockey team has been operating with a singular focus: playoff redemption. 

Despite actively being in a rebuild with a large number of first and second-year players, the program hopes to build consistency starting with their early-season mindset. 

“I think that we’re just a really mature group. We’re a smart group. We’re very well coached and managed,” said first-year defenceman Carson Lloyd. 

“Where we’re going to outperform other teams is in our ability to play the game together… in our work ethic and our dedication to playing it the right way.” 

The program’s success will be judged on small and key decisive moments, such as the incredible persistence shown in the 6-5 homecoming victory against Queen’s on Sept. 18, and navigating elimination scenarios. “We take pride in making sure we’re doing our best every day,” Lloyd said. “Because at the end of the year, it’s the little tiny things that matter.”

Driven by last year’s heartbreaking finish, this group isn’t satisfied with just another postseason appearance. Rather, they are determined to complete their push for a championship. 

“I don’t think anyone’s going to be happy with a silver medal,” Lloyd said. “We all believe we have a national championship-quality team and that’s the goal.”

Women’s Volleyball: Trusting the process

For the Bold women’s volleyball team, the young squad is motivated after narrowly missing the OUA playoffs last year. That finish provided an opportunity for the team to regroup and measure their success beyond just their season record. 

“The only urgency that our team feels right now is the urgency for them to bring their best selves to practice everyday,” acting head coach Julie Gordon noted. “We’re trying to place more value on the practices and how we’re developing in each and every practice and how we’re improving week to week rather than the scoreboard.” 

In their first preseason match against the three-time Ontario College Athletic Association East Division champions, the Seneca Polytechnic Sting, the program channeled their energy into a thrilling five-set battle. 

Though they were unable to hold off the Sting’s offence, the Bold’s growth in resetting during points has shown their ability to fill in last season’s gaps. The team’s fight against Seneca provides an optimistic glimpse of progression ahead of the regular season.

“I would say our ability to play out of system [will be our defining trait],” said Gordon. 

“We’ve put a large emphasis on out-of-system attacking and out-of-system setting, and the understanding of risk management when in those scenarios.” 

Grounded in small continuous developments and a supportive team chemistry, the team aims to pick up right where they left off in February.

Men’s Volleyball: Finding a collective rhythm

The Bold men’s volleyball enters the year trying to discover how fast they can find their team synergy. 

Much of the group’s potential depends on the continued growth of a stellar second-year class. 

Last year, libero Ethan Lau, outside hitter William Gimbert, and right side Ross Buchanan provided remarkable offensive firepower and quality, all earning spots on the OUA’s All-Rookie Team. 

Though the team posted a 5-15 record last season, if this talented young core can guide the squad as a unit, TMU could show promise to qualify for playoffs.