MARAUDERS CONTINUE UNDEFEATED AS THEY TAKE DOWN THE GRYPHONS

The No. 2 nationally ranked Marauders came out with a three-set sweep against the Guelph Gryphons to continue their undefeated streak.

This was the second of two Black History Month games day events being hosted by the Marauders. The purpose of these games was to spotlight local Black-owned businesses and resources for Black students at McMaster, including the Black Student Athlete Council (BSAC), the Black Student Success Center (BSSC) and the Black Students Association (BSA).

The team displayed their power and confidence by winning all three sets, each by at least seven points. While the Gryphons struggled with service errors throughout the game, the Marauders capitalized to come up with some big success. Outside hitters Max Gratton and Mateusz Wlodarski were the top point scorers for the Marauders, both tying with 11.5 points. Robbie Fujisawa led the team with a skillful 32 assists, while also leading in digs where he scooped out ten, while Jordan Pereira wasn’t far behind with seven digs.

Both sides struggled with their serves to start the game resulting in 12 service errors between the two teams in the first set. Despite this, Gratton and Wlodarski each slammed down three kills, along with 11 assists from 6’0″ setter Fujisawa. The Marauders held the lead throughout the entire set, leading them to pull through with a 25-18 win.

Marauders came into the second set strong, putting down seven consecutive points early in the set.  Proving the strength of the Marauders outside hitters, Sam Cooper powered through five kills in the set, while Wlodarski and Gratton each had three kills. The men in Maroon did not falter, and impressively held the lead through the entire set. The Marauders confidently took the set with a score of 25-14.

In the third set, the Marauders came out strong, leading the score with two kills: one each from Navreet Suhan and Cooper. Proving to be consistent as always, the team yet again took the early lead and ran with it. Playing in his first year of eligibility, Evan Bremer served and spiked the game point to close out the game and secure the win with a score of 25-15 in the last set.

Sweeping the sets 25-18, 25-14, and 25-15, the Marauders please the home crowd with their crushing performance. Next for the team is their game on Sunday, Feb. 27th in Guelph, where they match up against the Gryphons again. The team remains untouchable and leads the OUA West Division, adding yet another win to their perfect record of 11-0. They continue to prove their worth as the second ranked team in USports Men’s Volleyball.