Box Score Hitting the court for the first time in 2024, the Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team welcomed a strong opponent to town for the first match.
Nipissing hosted the McMaster Marauders Friday night, in the first of two matches on the weekend.
The Lakers put together a very impressive effort, but the Marauders outlasted Nipissing’s strong effort, edging them 3-2 in five well-played sets.
In an exciting opening set, the Lakers were able to build up a 19-17 lead late in the set, as they held on for a 25-21 win to go up 1-0.
Another competitive game in the second saw the Marauders draw even, winning 25-23 thanks to a push late in the set.
Down early, McMaster fought back and led 16-14 before edging Nipissing 25-23.
There wasn’t much to separate these two teams, as they continue to trade big hits and points.
In the third set, which copied the second in a lot of ways, the Marauders outlasted the Lakers, coming away with the 25-21 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
After an even start, with the Lakers and Marauders tied 7-7 and 10-10, Nipissing pulled away with a 6-2 run that put them up 16-12 midway through the set.
The Lakers pulled away late, building up a comfortable lead before holding on to a 25-22, sending the match to a fifth and deciding set.
McMaster jumped out to a quick start, going up 5-4.
They managed to push their lead to 9-5 and then took control of the final set, up 14-9 before clinching the victory on the next point, winning 15-9 and 3-2.
Tyrus Cuculick had a big match, posting 17 kills, while Trent O’Brien and Justice Smith each added seven for the Lakers.
The teams close out their weekend series with an afternoon match Saturday.
Things get underway at 6pm at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre.
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