HAMILTON, Ont. — The McMaster Marauders men's volleyball team enters the 2026-27 OUA season looking to take another step forward, combining a returning group of experienced contributors with several promising newcomers as the program aims to climb the conference standings.
After finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 7-13 record, McMaster looks to build on a campaign that featured six victories at Burridge Gymnasium and several tightly contested matches against conference opponents. The Marauders closed the season with consecutive victories over Trent, providing positive momentum heading into the offseason.
With an experienced returning core led by reigning OUA Rookie of the Year and U SPORTS All-Rookie Team selection
Mekhi Fitzgerald (Milton, Ont.), alongside
Kaden Zunti (Burlington, Ont.),
Matthias Cooper (Hamilton, Ont.) and setter
Ronan Huth (Edmonton, Alta.), McMaster enters the new campaign with an established foundation and opportunities for continued development.
2025-26 Season at a Glance
| Category |
Result |
| Regular Season Record |
7-13 |
| Home Record |
6-4 |
| Away Record |
1-9 |
| Postseason |
Did Not Qualify |
2025-26 Regular Season Statistics
| Category |
McMaster |
| Kills Per Set |
10.87 |
| Hitting Percentage |
0.199 |
| Assists Per Set |
10.35 |
| Service Aces Per Set |
1.18 |
| Digs Per Set |
10.45 |
| Blocks Per Set |
1.81 |
| Total Kills |
848 |
| Total Digs |
815 |
2025-26 Returning Statistical Leaders
Hitting percentage leader among returning attackers with at least 100 attack attempts. Digs per set leader among returning players with at least 50 sets played.
New Additions
Key Departures
Key Returning Players
Mekhi Fitzgerald | Outside Hitter
Fitzgerald returns for his second season with the Marauders following an outstanding rookie campaign that saw him earn OUA Rookie of the Year honours and a selection to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team.
The six-foot-six outside hitter established himself as one of McMaster's most productive offensive contributors during the 2025-26 season, appearing in 19 regular-season matches and recording a team-leading 188 kills, 19 service aces and 227.5 points.
Fitzgerald averaged 2.61 kills per set while posting a .237 hitting percentage, demonstrating his ability to generate consistent offensive production against OUA competition. He also contributed 74 digs and 27 total blocks, highlighting his versatility on both sides of the net.
His impressive debut season earned him recognition among the top first-year players in Canadian university volleyball, with his OUA Rookie of the Year award and U SPORTS All-Rookie Team selection establishing him as one of the conference's emerging talents.
Entering his second season, Fitzgerald will look to build on his award-winning debut while taking on an increased leadership role within McMaster's offensive rotation.
With another year of experience and an established group of returning teammates, Fitzgerald will once again be counted on to anchor the Marauders' attack as the program looks to climb the OUA standings.
Kaden Zunti | Outside Hitter
Zunti enters his third season with the Marauders looking to build on a strong 2025-26 campaign that saw him emerge as one of McMaster's most reliable attacking options.
The six-foot-six outside hitter appeared in 16 regular-season matches, recording 175 kills, 81 digs and 30 total blocks while finishing with 201.5 points.
Zunti led the Marauders with 2.87 kills per set among players with significant attacking responsibilities, while his .242 hitting percentage ranked among the team's most efficient offensive performances.
His contributions extended beyond the attack, with 11 solo blocks and 19 block assists highlighting his ability to make an impact defensively at the net.
As one of McMaster's returning offensive leaders, Zunti will be expected to play a central role in the Marauders' attacking rotation alongside Fitzgerald and Cooper.
His experience, offensive efficiency and presence at the net will be important as McMaster looks to improve its consistency throughout the upcoming campaign.
Ronan Huth | Setter
Huth returns as one of McMaster's most experienced players, providing leadership and stability at the setter position heading into the 2026-27 season.
The six-foot-six setter appeared in 17 regular-season matches last year, leading the Marauders with 452 assists while averaging 7.17 assists per set.
Huth also contributed 115 digs, nine service aces and 17 total blocks, demonstrating his ability to impact the game beyond his primary responsibilities directing the offence.
His experience coordinating McMaster's attack will be particularly valuable as the Marauders look to develop chemistry between their returning offensive contributors and incoming players.
With Fitzgerald, Zunti and Cooper returning, Huth will have several established attacking options available as the team looks to improve upon last season's average of 10.87 kills per set.
As a key figure in McMaster's offensive organization, Huth will once again be counted on to establish rhythm, distribute the ball effectively and provide leadership throughout the campaign.
2026-27 Season Preview
The McMaster Marauders enter the 2026-27 season looking to build on a 7-13 regular-season campaign, combining an experienced returning core with promising newcomers as the program aims to climb the OUA standings.
Under head coach
Brad Douwes, McMaster will look to improve its consistency and develop a more balanced lineup, with several key offensive contributors returning.
Leading the way is second-year outside hitter
Mekhi Fitzgerald, who returns following an outstanding rookie campaign that saw him earn OUA Rookie of the Year honours and a selection to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. Fitzgerald led the Marauders with 188 kills and 227.5 points, establishing himself as a cornerstone of McMaster's attack.
Alongside Fitzgerald, third-year
Kaden Zunti returns after recording 175 kills and a .242 hitting percentage last season. Second-year
Matthias Cooper also provides an established attacking option after contributing 121 kills and 67 digs during his rookie campaign.
Third-year
Seth O'Brien (Kingston, Ont.) adds further experience after recording 101 kills and 87 digs, while second-year
Josiah Heidbuurt (Stoney Creek, Ont.) will look to take on increased responsibilities following his first season.
At setter,
Ronan Huth will continue to direct McMaster's offence after recording 452 assists last season. Second-year
Brendan Lyons (Oakville, Ont.), who appeared in 13 matches during his rookie campaign, provides additional depth at the position.
In the middle, third-year
Ashton Fox-Kristensen (Elora, Ont.) returns after recording 71 kills and a team-leading 35 blocks. Third-year
Michael Rendulic (Stoney Creek, Ont.) contributed 24 kills and 20 blocks, while
Jared Kuiken (London, Ont.) adds further depth to the frontcourt.
The Marauders will need to replace several contributors, including libero
Matthew Rugosi (Toronto, Ont.), who led the team with 225 digs, and outside hitter
Grayson Jarrett (Camrose, Alta.), who recorded 94 kills. Middle blockers
Derick Breukelman (Trenton, Ont.) and
Jack Mackley (Toronto, Ont.) also depart.
Rugosi's departure creates opportunities for fourth-year
Jason Heidbuurt (Stoney Creek, Ont.), who transitions from setter to libero, and first-year
Aleksa Rakic (Mississauga, Ont.) to contribute defensively.
McMaster welcomes six additions, including five first-year players and second-year middle blocker
Carson Bartlett (Edmonton, Alta.). Outside hitters
Olivier Tremblay (Sudbury, Ont.),
Andreas Allen (Toronto, Ont.) and
Kobee Seto (Edmonton, Alta.) strengthen the attacking rotation, while six-foot-seven middle
Luke Armstrong (Toronto, Ont.) adds size at the net.
Offensively, McMaster will look to improve upon last season's 848 kills and .199 hitting percentage. Defensively, the Marauders aim to build on averages of 10.45 digs and 1.81 blocks per set.
Improving away from Burridge Gymnasium will be another priority after McMaster finished 6-4 at home but just 1-9 on the road. The Marauders also played seven five-set matches, finishing 3-4, highlighting the importance of closing out competitive contests.
With an established offensive foundation, developing young talent and renewed emphasis on consistency, McMaster enters the 2026-27 campaign determined to take another step forward and return to postseason contention.
