HAMILTON, Ont. – The TMU women’s volleyball team upset previously undefeated McMaster on Saturday afternoon, winning 3-2. The win puts the Bold at 5-3 as the team enters the winter break. The win also moves the Bold into fifth place in the OUA, and drops McMaster into second place.
In the match’s first set the two sides struggled to separate early. The teams found themselves level at five before a 6-1 Marauders run shifted momentum McMaster’s way and put the score at 11-6. The Bold remained resilient, however, with a big Ashley Ditchfield block helping them close the gap to three as the set entered its middle stages. After a TMU timeout, the Bold would begin a fantastic 5-0 run, bringing the score to 21-20. Ultimately however, the first set comeback fell short, with McMaster winning 25-22.
The teams began the second set much like the first, neck and neck. Lauren Veltman helped the Bold eventually establish a lead, forcing a Marauders timeout with a 7-3 TMU advantage. Out of the break the Bold continued their strong play, stretching their lead to as many as nine. Scarlett Gingera was effective at the net, and helped the Bold lead grow.
However, unforced errors opened the door for the Marauders in the second set. The Marauders pulled to within one at 16-15 before the Bold righted the ship, reeling off three straight points. With set point the Bold relied on Gingera, who earned the kill and clinched a 25-22 set win for TMU.
In the third set, things remained even. The Bold, playing their final game prior to the winter break, played inspired volleyball in hopes of ending McMaster’s perfect season. McMaster held a slight lead through the opening stages until TMU tied the score at ten. The teams would trade points until a mini McMaster three-point run gave the Marauders a slight advantage. The Bold would erase that lead however, tying the set at 24. The Bold would face two set points, denying McMaster both times before getting an opportunity to win the set themselves at 26-25. Elise Pridmore would provide an important block, sealing the set for the Bold.
Just one set away from a major upset, the Bold remained focused. The set remained tied through the first fourteen points, with the teams battling in long rallies for each point. TMU used strong net play to quickly close gaps whenever the Marauders jumped out in front. McMaster would eventually pull away however, clinching the fourth set by a score of 25-18.
In the decisive final set the Bold started well, but a 7-1 McMaster run hurt TMU’s chances. The teams switched sides with McMaster holding an 8-4 lead. The Bold continued to fight, however, leveling the score at eight. The teams would remain even until the score was 14-14, setting up a spectacular finish.
Having saved a matchpoint at 14-13, the Bold went up 15-14 behind a couple strong plays at the net. Then, with the match on the line Lauren Veltman and Ashley Ditchfield both went up to record a massive block on a McMaster spike, giving the Bold an improbable win.
The Bold will ride the momentum from this win into the break, with the squad back in action on January 12, 2024 when they head to Thunder Bay to play the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
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