Volleyball schedules released, McMaster to open OUA season Oct. 25

HAMILTON, Ont. – The OUA announced its 2024-25 men’s and women’s volleyball schedules Thursday. The McMaster Marauders’ seasons start on October 25 with a road doubleheader against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. 

McMaster’s home opener is set for November 1 against the Nipissing Lakers at Burridge Gymnasium.

The men’s team, coming off a strong 16-4 conference record and its third straight OUA Forsyth Cup Championship, aims to build on recent success and embark on another deep postseason run. The women’s team, who finished last season with an OUA Silver Medal after a close loss to Brock in the Quigley Cup final, looks to go one step further this year and return to the U SPORTS National Championship tournament.

Led by Robbie Fujisawa, Brendan Mills and Maxime Gratton, the Marauder men’s program will look to its veteran leadership to continue to cement its status as one of the best teams in North America. Mills led the OUA in points last season, while Gratton was second in service aces.

The women’s team features key returning players in Sullie Sundara, who led the OUA in service aces per set, second year outside hitter Olivia Julien, and veteran fifth years libero Hayley Brookes and outside hitter Emma McKinnon. The program, under direction of second year head coach Nathan Janzen, has also brought in a number of high-level recruits to bolster its roster and will look to develop incoming freshmen like Lucie Shaver (Academy, B.C.) and Omosefe Osaghae (Barrie, Ont.) into key pieces in its rotation.

The 2024-25 schedule is highlighted by rivalry match-ups against Guelph (Nov. 8-9), Western (Nov. 15-16), TMU (Jan. 17-18), and perennial contenders Queen’s (Feb. 7-8).

McMaster’s regular season concludes with matches against Waterloo on February 14 and 15, which will be crucial as both teams prepare for the OUA playoffs. Full schedules are available at OUA.ca.

2024-25 OUA Women’s Volleyball Schedule
2024-25 OUA Men’s Volleyball Schedule

Brad Douwes, who led the men to their 12th OUA Forsyth Cup Championship last season, is also entering his second season as bench boss for the men’s program, and has brought in former Queen’s Gael standout Tom Ellison as an assistant coach to help guide the Marauders attack.

Tickets for home matches at Burridge Gymnasium are free for students, while season tickets and single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Non-conference matches will also be announced at a later date. For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit marauders.ca.

2024-25 McMaster Marauders Volleyball Schedule Highlights:

• Oct. 25 @ Toronto (5:30/7:30 PM) – W/M
• Nov. 1 vs Nipissing (6:00/8:00 PM) – M/W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Nov. 2 vs Nipissing (2:00/4:00 PM) – M/W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Nov. 8 vs Guelph (6:00/8:00 PM) – M/W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Nov. 9 vs Guelph (2:00/4:00 PM) – M/W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Nov. 15 @ Western (6:00/8:00 PM) – M/W
• Nov. 16 @ Western (2:00/4:00 PM) – M/W
• Jan. 10 vs Windsor (6:00/8:00 PM) – W/M – Burridge Gymnasium
• Jan. 11 vs Windsor (2:00/4:00 PM) – W/M – Burridge Gymnasium
• Jan. 17 @ TMU (6:00/8:00 PM) – W/M
• Jan. 18 @ TMU (1:00/3:00 PM) – W/M
• Jan. 24 vs Ottawa (6:00 PM) – W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Jan. 24 vs York (8:00 PM) – M – Burridge Gymnasium
• Jan. 25 vs Ottawa (2:00 PM) – W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Jan. 25 vs York (4:00 PM) – M – Burridge Gymnasium
• Feb. 7 vs Queen’s (6:00/8:00 PM) – M/W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Feb. 8 vs Queen’s (6:00/8:00 PM) – M/W – Burridge Gymnasium
• Feb. 14 @ Waterloo (6:00/8:00 PM) – W/M
• Feb. 15 @ Waterloo (2:00/4:00 PM) – W/M

For complete schedule and ticket information, visit marauders.ca.