HAMILTON, Ont. —The McMaster Marauders begin their regular season on October 25th against the Toronto Varsity Blues in Toronto and will face a tough Ohio State team this weekend in preparation.
North American Challenge: McMaster Marauders vs. Ohio State
Get ready for an epic volleyball clash as the McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes for a pair of matches at the Burridge Gymnasium on October 19th and 20th to finish out their preseason schedule. This event promises to deliver an exceptional fan experience, showcasing a dominant OUA team against one of the top NCAA programs.
Match Details
Dates:
Saturday, October 19th @ 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 20th @ 2:00 PM
Location: Burridge Gymnasium, McMaster University
A Rivalry Rekindled
McMaster dominated this matchup in 2015, 2016, and 2017, but Ohio State answered back with wins in 2022 and 2023. Both teams consistently rank in the top 10 in their respective countries, making this an exciting cross-border showdown. High-profile players from both teams will be on display, promising thrilling volleyball action.
Players to Watch
For McMaster:
- #15 Maxime Gratton: An outside hitter known for his aggressive spin serve and strategic attacking. Maxime earned his spot on the U23 Canadian Men’s National Team last summer.
- #1 Robbie Fujisawa: A fan-favorite setter with a vibrant personality. Robbie excels in all aspects of his role, including blocking and defending.
- #17 Jared Kuiken: A middle blocker in his second year at McMaster, Jared played with the U21 National Team Program last summer.
For Ohio State:
- #18 Cole Young: A senior middle blocker standing at 6 foot 10, Cole led the conference with a hitting percentage above 0.400 in 2024.
- #14 Kyle Teune: An outside hitter who represented the USA U21 National Team in 2023. Kyle is a key player in both reception and offense.
- #6 Shane Wetzel: An opposite hitter who won the Freshman of the Year award in the MIVA conference. Shane has podiumed twice at the Pan American Cup with the USA U21 National Team.
Ticket Information
Past Results
- October 2023: Ohio State 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18) and Ohio State 3-0 (25-16, 33-31, 25-22)
- October 2022: Ohio State 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-17)
- October 2017: McMaster 3-2 (29-27, 14-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-8) and McMaster 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-22)
- December 2016: McMaster 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 32-30)
- January 2015: McMaster 3-2 (18-25, 21-25, 25-10, 25-20, 15-12) and McMaster 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-18, 25-16)
2024-25 Season Preview
The Marauders are looking to secure a four-peat at the OUA Championship this year. They enter competition with a strong mix of veterans and young talent in the program. Robbie Fujisawa (North York, Ont.), and Maxime Gratton (Ottawa Ont.) are both entering their fourth seasons as Marauders and are looking to continue the winning culture this season as seniors.
Jared Kuiken (London, Ont.), and Haben Yohannes (Scarborough, Ont.) are coming off solid 2023-2024 seasons and will be expected to carry the load in the middle for the Marauders this season.
Kuiken, a 6’7 middle hitter, is playing in his second season. Last season, Kuiken played in 42 sets across 13 games, making an impact with 42 kills and 10 solo blocks. Yahannes is a fourth-year player who had a break-out year last season. The 6’8 middle hitter totaled 21 blocks and 40 kills.
View the McMaster’s full 2024-25 schedule here: https://marauders.ca/sports/mens-volleyball/schedule
Upcoming Trip
Following the first half of the OUA season, the Marauders will be heading to Long Beach, California, where they will face off against top-tier teams including Pepperdine, UC San Diego, and Long Beach State University (LBSU). This trip will provide the Marauders with valuable experience and the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the NCAA.
Future NCAA Competition
Mark your calendars for January 2026, when McMaster will next host NCAA competition. Princeton University is planning to come to Hamilton, Ont., promising another thrilling series of matches.