No. 3 Badgers complete undefeated weekend

On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Brock Badgers women’s volleyball team earned their fourth consecutive win of 2024, besting the host Nipissing Lakers in four sets (25-16, 25-14, 17-25, 25-20). 

Madison Chimienti and Gigi Markotic finished with 12 kills each, with Markotic adding once ace and 1.5 blocks to finish with a game-high 16.5 points. Setter Sara Rohr delivered 30 assists to lead the Badgers, while outside hitter Emily Foest anchored the defence with 17 digs.  

The two teams started to trade points before Nipissing took its first lead of the contest at 13-12, causing a Brock timeout one point later. Brock earned the lead back, forcing two Nipissing timeouts in the process. The Badgers controlled the rest of the set for the 25-16 win. Chimenti led the way with six kills in the frame, and the Badgers as a team hit at a .385 hitting percentage. 

In the second set, a hitting error from the Lakers allowed Brock to double up their opponent 10-5, forcing a timeout.  As the Badgers’ lead went down to two at 15-13, head coach Steve Delaney called a timeout. This sparked the Badgers, as they went on a 10-1 run to take the set. 

Much like the previous set, the teams traded early until the hosts went on a run. Taking advantage of some attack errors from their opponent, the Lakers forced Brock timeouts at 12-8 and 19-15. The momentum continued for Nipissing, winning the third 25-17.  

The Lakers sought to take the momentum gained in the previous frame, trading points with the Badgers early in the fourth. Brock seized a seven-point lead at 17-10 off of strong attacking from right side Sadie Dick and Markotic. A small four-point run from the hosts caused the Badgers to call a timeout up 17-14. The No. 3 squad in the country showed their resilience, bouncing back from a loss in the third set to take the match. 

Up next, the Badgers (11-1) will remain on the road, as they travel to Windsor to take on the Windsor Lancers (2-8) on Friday, Jan. 19. First serve is set for 6 p.m. and can be seen on OUA.tv.