Marauders prepare for battle with Gaels this weekend

HAMILTON, Ont. – After another weekend of back-to-back wins, the undefeated Marauders prepare to take on the Queen’s Gaels in the fifth week of OUA action. McMaster will look to defend Burridge Gymnasium at 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday night.     
 

Queen’s vs McMaster
Burridge Gymnasium | Hamilton, Ont.
December 2^nd and 3^rd, 2022 @ 8pm

These teams met twice during the 2021-22 season, with the first match-up occurring in a pre-season exhibition game. The Marauder men beat the Gaels 3 sets to 1. These teams met again, this time at the U SPORTS National Championship in the consolation semi-final. In a tight game it was McMaster that came out on top, winning 3 sets to 1 (22-25, 20-28, 25-20, 25-18). McMaster then went on to beat the Manitoba Bisons 3-1 (25-17, 25-14, 16-25, 27-25) to finish the season fifth in the nation.

The Queen’s Gaels battled with the TMU Bold this past weekend, earning them one win and one loss. The Gaels took the first game in a tight four sets (24-26, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16), but couldn’t continue the momentum the next night, losing 1-3 (25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 25-16). Currently 3-2, the Gaels have something to prove as they prepare to take on the Marauders.

Currently 9-0 and ranked first in the OUA, McMaster is coming off of a strong weekend after winning two tight games against the Nipissing Lakers. In the first of the two games, it was the Marauders that came out victorious, winning 3 sets to 1 set (25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19). Nipissing proved to be tough competition in the second game, forcing the match to 4 sets, however it was the Marauders that came out on top again, 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20). McMaster is looking strong as they prepare for this weekend, hoping to continue the win streak.

Players to Watch

Queen’s Gaels
 

#1 Cole Duncanson, 2nd Year (Elig.), Middle

• Ranked fourth in OUA West for block assists (posting 13 block assists)
• Averages 0.82 blocks per set (ranked fifth in the OUA West)
• Recorded 14 total blocks, ranking him 13^th in the OUA West

#4 Erik Siksna 2nd Year (Elig.), Outside hitter

• Ranked third in OUA West for kills per set, averaging 3.84 per set
• Recorded a hitting percentage of 0.297, ranking him fourth in the OUA West
• Ranked fourth for points per set, averaging 4.4 points per set

McMaster Marauders
 

#1 Robbie Fujisawa, 3^rd Year (Elig.), Setter

• Ranked fifth in the OUA West for total assists, posting 183 over the past 9 matches
• Recorded 50 digs, ranking him third in the OUA West.
• Averages 7.04 assists per set, ranking him tenth in the OUA West

#10 Tyler Pavelic, 4th Year (Elig.), Middle

• Recorded 12 service aces (ranked fourth in the OUA West)
• Recorded 17 total blocks, ranking him second in the OUA West
• Posted 21 total blocks (ranked second in the OUA West)