The Marauders middle duo exploded for a combined 35.5 points on Saturday, as McMaster battled past its closest divisonal rival, the Guelph Gryphons, in four sets on the road.
Set scores were 23-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 in favour of the Marauders, who moved to 7-3 at the halfway point of their OUA campaign as the teams break for the holidays. They sit atop the OUA West standings, having created separation between themselves and the 6-4 Gryphons with the win.
Maicee Sorensen stood as both the top scorer and most efficient hitter on Saturday, pounding down 16 kills on 31 attempts versus just a single error (.484) while adding an ace and two blocks for a total of 19 points. Her fellow middle Taylor Brisebois was not far behind, posting 16.5 points on 14-31 hitting against one error (.419), one ace and 1.5 blocks.
McMaster's workhorse outside hitter, Joanna Jedrzejewska had 18 points, while Lauren Mastroluisi also entered double digits on the opposite wing with 11.5. Setter Caitlin Genovy had an exceptional night at the controls, posting a total of 50 assists in four sets.
The night began well for the Marauders, who took a 9-5 lead in the opening set after a Guelph attacking error, and forced the Gryphons into an early timeout. But the hosts rebounded well, and outlasted McMaster to take the first set when Shannon Morelli answered a Brisebois kill with one of her own on set point.
A service run by Brisebois early in the second helped the Marauders to rush ahead of the Gryphons, and they led 9-3 when her stint at the line was brought to an end by a kill from Rebecca Breau. Momentum stayed with the visitors, however, and McMaster took a dominant 16-8 lead into the technical timeout. Despite a late Guelph run, that gap proved too wide for the hosts to bridge, and McMaster evened the match when Jedrzejewska killed for 25-18.
Another quick start in the third set put the Marauders in the driver's seat, and they led by seven points at the techincal timeout after one of Brisebois' 14 kills on the night. Once again, such a wide gap proved insurmountable for the Gryphons, and after a service error brought up set point, Mastroluisi killed to give McMaster the overall lead.
With their backs against the wall, Guelph battled to begin the fourth set and stayed within striking distance of McMaster at the technical timeout, trailing 16-13. But the Marauders put the pedal down to win the next four points with Brisebois toeing the service line, and Jedrzejewska brought the night to an end with an ace on match point.
The Marauders will now break for the exam and holiday period, and return to conference play on Saturday, January 10, when they travel to London to conclude the season series against the Western Mustangs.
