HAMILTON, Ont. – The McMaster Marauders (16-5) advance to the OUA semifinals with a straight-sets victory over the Windsor Lancers (13-8) on Friday night at Burridge Gymnasium. 

McMaster set the tone early in the opening set, using strong serving and timely kills to build an early lead. Windsor responded late in the frame, applying pressure at the net and trimming the deficit to three points. Olivia Julien (Toronto, Ont.) delivered a pair of aces to steady the Marauders, and a Windsor attack error sealed the set 25-16.

The Marauders carried momentum in the second set, jumping out to a commanding lead. Charlie Dean (Calgary, AB.), Maddy Lutes (Barrie, Ont.) and Angelika Vidmar (Etobicoke, Ont.) each contributed key kills during extended rallies to keep McMaster in control. Julien capped the set with a decisive kill as the Marauders secured a 25-18 win. 

Windsor pushed back in the third, forcing long rallies and keeping McMaster's defence under pressure in a tightly contested frame. Abby Delamere (Toronto, Ont.) delivered timely swings and key blocks to help extend the Marauders advantage, while Chayse Victoria (Oakville, Ont.) added a late ace to give McMaster a 20-13 lead. The Lancers closed the gap down the stretch, but the Marauders held firm to claim the set 25-22 and complete the sweep, finishing the match with a .188 hitting percentage. 

The victory sends the Marauders to the semifinal round against the Western Mustangs on Feb. 27 as they continue their pursuit of another OUA title.

Head coach Nathan Janzen said post-game that the team is focused on the present rather than last season's championship run.

"The new athletes on this team are ready to create their own story, and the athletes that were there last year are hungry again to create a new path for us, so we are not looking in the past," Janzen said. 

Dean and Julien further added to that mindset, emphasizing a "why not us" approach as McMaster looks to defend its title.