St. Catharines, Ont. — The McMaster Marauders (6-2) faced the Brock Badgers (4-2) in a double header this weekend.
McMaster lost both matches against Brock.
Friday's match started off well for the Marauders thanks to a few blocks early in the first set. McMaster maintained the lead until Brock tied it at 15. Brock would then take the lead but a block by Abby Delamere (Toronto, Ont.) would tie it up again. A dig by Jennifer Wu (Burlington, Ont) set up a kill by Olivia Julien (Toronto, Ont.) to bring McMaster within one later in the set. However, Brock would take the first set 25-22.
The Marauders fought their way back in set number two. Strong blocks and a few big kills by Madeleine Lutes (Barrie, Ont.) kept McMaster within striking distance. Chayse Victoria (Oakville, Ont.) then hit a service ace to cut Brock's lead to one. McMaster would take the lead with a block by Emma McKinnon (Milton, Ont.) and Delamere. A kill from McKinnon would set up set point and shortly after a swing from Julien would seal the set for the Marauders, winning it 25-22.
Brock got out to an early lead in set three. Despite some good digs from Wu, Brock's hits continued to find open court. A service ace by Julien cut the Badgers lead to six but Brock would continue the pressure and win set three 25-15.
The fourth set was a tight race. Both offense and defense were clicking for McMaster. A service ace from Angelika Vidmar (Etobicoke, Ont.) would tie the game mid-way through but Brock would find some momentum late in the set. Brock won the final set 25-20 and would take the first weekend match up 3-1.
On Saturday they would meet again. Julien got McMaster on the board early with a few kills to start off set one. Then Lutes hit a service ace shortly after a timeout half way through the set. A late rally ends with a Marauder block from Julien and Vidmar to keep McMaster in the set. But the Badgers would push through to win set one 25-23.
A service ace from Victoria would help get the Marauders rolling in set two. Vidmar then tied the game at six with a kill and followed up with a service ace. A kill from McKinnon brought McMaster back within two and forced a Badger timeout. Julien gave the Marauders a few back to back points with a kill and service ace late in the set to put some pressure on the Badgers, but Brock would take set two with a score of 25-20.
A cross court swing from McKinnon got the Marauders on the board to start set three. After a McMaster timeout to regroup, Lucie Shaver (Surrey, B.C.) got back to back kills to give the Marauders some energy. McMaster got back within four courtesy of a kill and service ace from Julien and forced a Brock timeout. But Brock was able to complete the sweep and win the final set 25-21.
Next Up: Cheer your Marauder on at Burridge Gymnasium in the new year when they face the Windsor Lancers on January 10th and 11th.
