Volleyball Preview: Where have we been, where are we going?

The McMaster Marauders volleyball teams return to competition for the first time this calendar year as they welcome the Western Mustangs to Burridge Gym on Thursday evening. The last time both our women’s and men’s teams hit the court was back on November 27, 2021 against the Waterloo Warriors, where the women came away with the five set win, and the men made short work of their opponents in a sweep.

The Marauders women’s volleyball team entered the winter break ranked third in the OUA West division, opening their season with a pair of sweeps over Lakehead on the road, ultimately putting together a 3-2 record through their first five games.

Meanwhile, the men’s volleyball team sits atop the OUA West Division standings with a perfect 5-0 record as they push to make a ninth consecutive OUA final appearance. Victories came over Windsor (3-2), Guelph (3-1), Brock (3-0, 3-0) and Waterloo.

Looking ahead, the Marauders will play host to the visiting Western Mustangs this Thursday, before making the trip to London, Ont. on Saturday for the return leg.

Game Details:

McMaster Marauders vs. Western Mustangs
Date: Thurs, Feb. 10^th Women @ 6pm, Men @ 8pm
Location: Burridge Gym

McMaster Marauders @ Western Mustangs
Date: Sat, Feb. 12^th Women @ 2pm, Men @ 4pm
Location: Alumni Hall

Last Meeting

The last time our Marauders women’s team met Wester was during the 2019-20 season, where the Mustangs swept their season series 1-3 and 0-3. Fifth-year left side Jessie Nairn was called upon plenty in the first match-up, going for 41 total attacks with two services and 12 digs in four sets of action. On the return leg, second-year at the time, Paige Entwistle, had a coming out party with 7.5 points going for a seven kills – a career high.

On the men’s side, the script flipped with the Marauders sweeping the ‘stangs with 3-0 win at Burridge and a 3-1 win on the road in 2020. It was first-years at the time, Wojtek Kraj and Sam Cooper that showed their promise; Kraj recorded 10.5 points off a .571 hitting percentage in the first leg, while Cooper chimed in with 9 points on six kills and three service aces in the return leg.

Players to Watch

McMaster
Hayley Brookes LIB – Ranks third in the OUA in digs with 3.61 per set. Recorded a season-high 24 in a five-set win over the Waterloo Warriors in November.

Wojtek Kraj M – Currently leads the OUA in total blocks and blocks per set with 27 and 1.69, respectively.

Western
Janelle Albert OH – Leads the OUA in kills per set, averaging 4.33 per set. Albert also leads the OUA in hitting percentage with .597 per game.

Jackson Bere M – Efficient on the attack, currently ranks third in the OUA in hitting percentage with .435 on the season.