McMaster calls it even against Nipissing in home opener doubleheader

HAMILTON, Ont. — This Friday, the McMaster Marauders (0-2) faced the Nipissing Lakers (0-2) in their home opener. 
McMaster and Nipissing would each come away a win in this doubleheader. 

Grayson Jarrett (Camrose, Alta.) got the Marauders on the scoreboard with a kill to start the first set. Jarrett followed up with another kill to tie in at two. Defense also stepped up for the Marauders when a good dig lead to a Lakers mistake to put McMaster up 5-4. Jared Kuiken (London, Ont.) and Robbie Fujisawa (North York, Ont.) added to the Marauders lead in the first set, both recording a service ace. The Marauders held onto the lead for the first set and Jarrett added another kill to bring up set point. After a save near the stands by Fujisawa, Kuiken finished off set one with a kill to beat the Lakers 25-17. 

The Marauders trade points early in the second set and a kill from Seth O’Brien (Kingston, Ont.) ties it again at three. Cole Francis (Ottawa, Ont.) followed up with a huge block to put the Marauders up 4-3. Kuiken helped out the offense again with a service ace to take back the lead 6-5. After a long rally, Jack Mackley (Toronto, Ont.) came through with a kill to tie it at nine, and then followed up with a service ace to regain the lead. O’Brien added a service ace as well, which gave the Marauders a three point lead. O’Brien continued the offensive pressure with a kill and tip over the net to help McMaster win set two, 25-20. 

The Marauder found themselves down early in set three but after a brief timeout, Mackley got the Marauders rolling with a huge block. Jarrett got a service ace cutting the lead to one. Mackley added a service ace as well to keep the score close. Out of a timeout, Kuiken recorded a kill and then Jason Heidbuurt (Hamilton, Ont) followed it up with a service ace. The Marauders keep the score close with a kill from Mackley but the Lakers would take set three 25-21. 

Midway through the fourth set Nipissing started to pull away. But some strong offense again by O’Brien and then a huge block by Ashton Fox-Kristensen (Elora, Ont.) tied the score at 22. O’Brien energized the offense again with a kill to set up match point, but Nipissing managed to hold their ground to win the set 27-25. 

The Marauders came out strong in the final set with a massive kill by O’Brien. Kuiken then made a statement with a service ace to tie it at 11. Francis contributed another kill to set up match point and when a Lakers hit sailed long, McMaster would take the final set 15-13. 

McMaster recorded their first win of the season with a 3-2 win over Nipissing. 

McMaster and Nipissing met again on Saturday. Kuiken made back to back kills early in set one and later Fujisawa had a service ace to keep the Marauder up by two. Mackley added a service ace as well. Francis got on a roll later in the set with back to back kills and then followed it up with a service ace to help lead McMaster past Nipissing in the first set with a score of 25-19. 

Back and forth action occurred throughout the second set. McMaster was able to tie the game at 11 with a block by O’Brien and Kuiken. Maxime Gratton (Ottawa, Ont.) tied the game up again at 24 with a service ace but the Lakers pulled past McMaster in the end to win set two 27-25

Set three saw three straight kills by O’Brien, Kuiken and Fujisawa. Midway through, Kuiken kept the score close with a service ace. Near the end, Gratton had a service ace to put McMaster up by one, but Nipissing would win the next three points to win set three 33-31. 

McMaster fell behind early in the fourth set and the Marauders weren’t able to close the gap. The Lakers would take the final set 25-17, giving them a 3-1 victory over the Marauders. 

Up Next: Another double header against the Guelph Gryphons at Burridge Gym November 8th and 9th.