McMaster women’s volleyball ends regular season with two trips to Toronto

HAMILTON, Ont. – The #9 nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders women’s volleyball team is ready to hit the court for the final time this OUA regular season. The maroon and grey will make two road trips this weekend, the first on Friday night for a contest with the TMU Bold before returning to Toronto for an afternoon contest with the Varsity Blues on Sunday afternoon.
 

 
McMaster and TMU last faced each other in November of this year when the OUA season was young. One of the only blemishes on the Marauders’ record, the Bold escaped with a four set victory that day. Sullie Sundara (Kanata, Ont.) continued to be an offensive threat, leading the team with an incredible 19 kills and 10 digs. Maddy Lutes (Barrie, Ont.) was right alongside Sundara, with 13 kills and 13 digs. Ana Strbac (Oakville, Ont.) and Paige Entwistle (Jerseyville, Ont.) also had strong games, each with seven kills and Strbac with two service aces. Libero Hayley Brookes (Burlington, Ont.) had a great defensive game with a staggering 20 digs, and Christina Stratford (Burlington, Ont.) was consistent with 37 assists. Before that contest, the two squads hadn’t matched-up in the 2019-20 season. That was also a tight contest that went the way of the Bold – 3-2. TMU sits sixth in the conference rankings, just six points back of McMaster. The Bold is coming off three straight losses against the Toronto Varsity Blues, York Lions and Windsor Lancers so will look to earn another win before entering the playoffs.

The Marauders and Varsity Blues matched-up just a month ago in Toronto with McMaster shutting out the hosts in four sets. On offense, it was not surprising that Sullie Sundara (Kanata, Ont.) led the team, as the outside hitter contributed 20 kills and 12 digs. Ana Strbac (Oakville, Ont.) showed impressive skill with three service aces, and Ellie Hatashita (Kanata, Ont.) followed Sundara with seven kills and one service ace. Libero Hayley Brookes (Burlington, Ont.) had a great game with 18 digs, while Christina Stratford (Burlington, Ont.) supported with 28 assists. The two teams have met 20 times since 2008 and with each team earning ten wins over that time. The Varsity Blues made the long trip to North Bay last weekend for two contests with the Nipissing Lakers. Toronto earned a weekend split, making their its record 8-11 over the 2022-23 OUA season.

McMaster has impressed this season, winning eight of its past ten games to sit fourth overall in the OUA standings. The maroon and grey have clinched a home playoff contest and will look to close out the regular season on a high note.
 

Last Time Out

The Marauders took down the Warriors in a tight five-set match on Saturday February 11 in Waterloo. Sullie Sundara (Kanata, Ont.) led the Marauders with a staggering 23 kills, two service aces and 14 digs. Alongside her, Emma McKinnon (Milton, Ont.) had a great showing with 13 kills and 13 digs. Second year setter Chayse Victoria (Oakville, Ont.) had a career high game with 49 assists and a kill, while libero Hayley Brookes (Burlington, Ont.) was consistent with her athleticism, performing 16 digs. Sundara led the first set with six kills, while Victoria made 13 assists. McMaster was able to find their groove on the Waterloo home court and were able to win the opening set 25-20. After losing a competitive first set, Waterloo took the lead early in the second set but the Marauders battled back to take set two by a 25-23 scoreline. Waterloo fought to stay alive in the game in the third set and, ultimately, the Warriors hit the set point first and close out the set 25-19. The fourth set was another close match, but Waterloo was able to find a small lead and held onto the point differential until the end to make it 2-2. The fifth set was another tight contest and despite struggling with errors, McMaster was able to edge out the Warriors 15-13 to take the final set and win the game.  
 

Players to Watch

TMU Bold
 
#7 Julie Moore, 5th Year (Elig.), Outside Hitter

• Leads the Bold in kills with 147
• Ranks 4th in the conference in points per set (4.2)
• Averages 3.45 digs per set (6th in the OUA)

McMaster Marauders
 
#6 Hayley Brookes, 2nd Year (Elig.), Libero

• Averages 3.59 digs per set (4th in the OUA)
• Ranks 4th in the conference in digs – 255 
• Has 54 assists on the season

Toronto Varsity Blues
 
#1 Julia Murmann, 2nd Year (Elig.), Outside Hitter

• Ranks 5th in the OUA in digs per set (3.50)
• Averages 3.22 kills per set (6th in the OUA)
• Has recorded 232 kills this season

Friday’s Game Coverage

Watch Live: https://oua.yaretv.com/

Instagram: @mcmasterwvb

Sunday’s Game Coverage

Watch Live: https://oua.yaretv.com/

Instagram: @mcmasterwvb
 

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