The Marauders had no answer for the Laval Rouge et Or on Friday, falling in three straightforward sets in their CIS quarterfinal match.

Set scores were 25-15, 25-20 and 25-19 for the fourth-seeded Rouge et Or, who advance to play the defending champion UBC Thunderbirds in a Saturday semifinal. With their loss, the Marauders will meet the host Regina Cougars in a consolation semifinal on Saturday.

Sophie Bukovec led the Marauders with 11.5 points in a losing effort, including 10 kills. Middle Taylor Brisebois chipped in seven points, and libero Carly Heath had a team high of 14 digs.

Laval led early and often on Friday, but an encouraging attacking run from McMaster saw the Marauders close to within four points at 10-14 in the opening set. However, the Rouge et Or immediately re-established their grip on the set, and would go on to win 11 of the next 16 points to seal it.

Once again, the Marauders found a way to hang tough midway through the second, and the Rouge et Or took only a slim lead into the technical timeout with a wipe through the middle for 16-14. But as they did in the first, the Rouge et Or pulled away late to clinch the second and take a 2-0 overall lead when an attack from the right successfully wiped down.

There was no comeback to be found against a steady Laval side, and the Rouge et Or calmly rode out the third set en route to a six-point winning margin and a sweep on the night.

McMaster will now turn its attention to the consolation round, and will meet the host Regina in the second of two consolation semifinals tomorrow. That match is scheduled to get underway at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.