Box Score A strong non-conference performance earned McMaster respect in the first national rankings of the new season, and on Friday, the Marauders showed glimpses of why they deserved that recognition.
 
The no. 6-ranked Marauders cleared the first hurdle of the conference season, enduring a third-set wobble to beat the Guelph Gryphons 3-1 (25-9, 25-15, 24-26, 25-15) at the Burridge Gym.
 
Entering her fourth season in maroon, outside hitter Joanna Jedrzejewska opened strongly Friday, with a 21.5-point performance to lead the Marauders, and the match. She had 18 kills on 37 attempts versus just two errors (.432) and added three aces and a block assist.
 
Outside Aleks Arsovic crested double digits in her first match as a Marauder, having served out her year on the sidelines as a transfer. Arsovic had 10 kills and a block assist, and saw a healthy portion of the ball Friday, with 31 attempts.
 
Libero Carly Heath led the match with 19 digs for the Marauders in the win, while senior setter Caitlin Genovy racked up 36 assists.
 
Struggling offensively throughout Friday's contest, the Gryphons were led on the scoreboard by veteran outside Maddie Dedecker, who had 11 points but was limited to just nine kills on 33 attempts with four errors (.152).
 
UP NEXT: McMaster travels to Peterborough, Ont. to take on the Trent Excalibur, who enter the OUA for the first time in 2016-17, on Friday, November 4.