The host Marauders defended the title at their home tournament Saturday against the same opponent they defeated to claim it a year ago. McMaster swept Guelph 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-22) to win gold at the McMaster Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Completing a spotless tournament, the Marauders won all nine sets they played across the span of the three-day event, with sweeps against RMC and Waterloo in addition to Saturday's final.
 
Joanna Jedrzejewska was named as the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, while teammates Aleks Arsovic and Caitlin Genovy were tournament all-stars.
 
After handily winning the opening set by a 10-point margin, the Marauders trailed by as many as six points early in the second. But they drew level at 12-all, and never looked back from that point, making their final appearance of the non-conference a resounding victory.
 
McMaster gets the OUA regular season underway on Friday, October 28, when the Marauders welcome the Gryphons back to the Burridge Gym.
 
The Ryerson Rams, who host the CIS Championship tournament in March, claimed the bronze on Saturday with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18) win over the Waterloo Warriors, while York defeated Nipissing for fifth and Lakehead topped RMC for seventh.
 
McMaster Thanksgiving Classic
 
Day 1
 
McMaster def. RMC 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-9)
Waterloo def. York 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 26-24, 22-25, 15-11)
Guelph def. Nipissing 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-17)
Ryerson def. Lakehead 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-14, 25-13)
 
Day 2
 
Nipissing def. Lakehead 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-23)
York def. RMC 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 26-24)
Guelph def. Ryerson 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12)
McMaster def. Waterloo 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-15)
 
Day 3
 
7^th place: Lakehead def. RMC 3-1 (25-17, 25-13, 23-25, 25-20)
5^th place: York vs. Nipissing 3-1 (25-22, 25-15, 18-25, 25-16)
Bronze: Ryerson def. Waterloo 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18)
Gold: McMaster def. Guelph 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-22)