Marauders take on Lakers in fourth week of OUA action

HAMILTON, Ont. – Six games into the season, the Marauders are just one of two remaining undefeated teams in the OUA, alongside the Windsor Lancers. Ranked No. 3 in the nation, McMaster will now face the 3-1 Nipisising Lakers on Friday night at 8pm in Burridge Gymnasium and will take to the court for the rematch at 6pm on Saturday.
 

Nipissing vs McMaster
Burridge Gymnasium | Hamilton, Ont.
November 25th, 2022 @ 8pm & November 26th, 2022 @ 6pm
 

McMaster and Nipissing have matched up nine times since the Lakers joined the OUA in 2013-14 with the last meeting between the two programs taking place on February 29, 2020. The Marauders took that contest, a Round 1 playoff game, in three straight sets to earn the victory. The Lakers opened the 2022-23 season with a weekend split against the Guelph Gryphons before sweeping the RMC Paladins in back-to-back games. With some new young talent on the roster, the Nipissing Lakers are a threat this season, currently ranking 2nd in the OUA in kills per set with 12.07 and third in both blocks per set (2.00) and assists per set (10.64). The visitors will look to make a statement this weekend and earn their first win against the maroon and grey.
 

McMaster has had a strong start to the season facing the likes of the Excalibur, Mustangs, Warriors, Bold and Badgers in the first three weeks of the 2022-23 season. The Marauders will play in front of a home crowd once again and will look to extend their win streak to eight this weekend.
 

Last Time Out

Outside hitter, Sam Cooper (Hamilton, Ont.), led the Marauders in Friday’s contest with the TMU Bold with eight kills and three service aces while teammate, Maxime Gratton (Ottawa, Ont.), had seven kills and two service aces. Setter, Robbie Fujisawa (North York, Ont.), was consistent in supporting the offense with 25 assists and led the team with seven digs in the victory. 

On Sunday, 6’8″ outside hitter Mateusz Wlodarski (Ottawa, Ont.), recorded 11 kills in the game. Cooper also had a strong game with eight kills and a service ace. Setters Jason Wildeboer (Bowmanville, Ont.) and Fujisawa tallied 14 and 12 assists, respectively. Matthew Rugosi (Etobicoke, Ont.), a second-year libero, led the team with seven digs on the defensive side of the ball
 

Players to Watch

Nipissing Lakers
 
#5 Josh Nicholson, 3rd Year (Elig.), Setter

• OUA leader in assists, averaging 9.58 per set
• Total of 115 assists on the season
• Records 1.33 digs per set

#15 Jackson Young, 3rd Year (Elig.), Outside Hitter

• Leads the OUA with a .404 hitting percentage
• Averages 3.85 kills per set
• Ranks third in the conference in service aces per set (0.62)

McMaster Marauders
 
#11 Sam Cooper, 3rd Year (Elig.), Outside Hitter

• Ranks fifth in the conference, averaging 3.36 kills per set
• Records 0.64 service aces per set 
• Sits sixth in the conference with a .307 hitting percentage

#15 Maxime Gratton, 2nd Year (Elig.), Outside Hitter

• #2 in the OUA with a .386 hitting percentage
• Averages 2.7 points per set
• Has 57 total attacks this season

Friday’s Game Coverage

Watch Live: https://oua.yaretv.com/

Twitter: @McMasterSports

Instagram: @mcmastermvb

Saturday’s Game Coverage

Watch Live: https://oua.yaretv.com/

Twitter: @McMasterSports

Instagram: @mcmastermvb 
 

For the latest news and updates on the McMaster Marauders, follow @mcmastersports on social media or visit www.marauders.ca.