Displaying the resourcefulness of a winning program, McMaster manufactured a victory Saturday despite never quite finding their top form in Waterloo.
The Marauders improved to 10-1 on the season, and extended their run of successive sets won to 13, with a 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 win over the Warriors.
For a second straight night, second-year middle Hailey Kranics was McMaster's leading scorer, with her ability to chase the slide and connect on the quick set in equal measure resulting in 10 kills on 18 attempts.
Results were mixed on the outside Saturday, but Mac's middle continued to be a reliable source of scoring, as veteran Maicee Sorensen had similar success in firing down seven kills on just 13 attempts.
Despite their own inconsistencies in attack, it was McMaster's ability to grind the Waterloo attack to a halt that ultimately won out, as the Warriors hit just four per cent on the night, and racked up 24 errors versus 29 kills.
Their +5 differential on offence stood in stark contrast to Mac's +28.
Early signs suggested that McMaster might coast Saturday, as the Marauders opened the match with an 11-3 run aided by seven Warriors errors.
Even while the hosts began to clean up their game, Mac seemed well in control as Arsovic killed for 20-12. But a five-point run from Waterloo, capped by a Kelsey Caza ace and Serena Otshudi block had the Warriors within three and suddenly threatening.
The Marauders promptly stabilized, and won four of the next five points to bring up set points, where Arsovic made good on the third by fooling the Warriors block with a cheeky standing roll shot.
Both teams struggled to fashion momentum in the second set, with Mac and Waterloo exchanging short runs into the technical timeout, where the Marauders led 16-14 after a pair of errors from Warriors outside Kayla Wierts.
Waterloo sensed an opportunity to strike late, drawing even at 19 after a rare error from Kranics. But once again, the Marauders were productive when it mattered most, reeling off three straight points from 22-21 to snatch the set, as Kranics, Jill Eisenhauer and Sorensen each knocked down kills.
The knockout blow from the Marauders came at 6-6 in the third, when Mac pieced together a six-point run to take control. A six-point lead at the technical timeout was restored at 20-14 with the help of two Waterloo errors, and McMaster cruised from there.
Kranics' final kill of the night brought up a slew of match points, but the visitors needed just one, as Waterloo's Claire Mackenzie fired well wide to conclude the match.
NEXT UP: The Marauders return to Burridge Gym for a pair of contests against the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27. Both matches are slated for first serve at 7:00 p.m.
