Women’s volleyball team topples OUA leader Brock

HAMILTON, Ont. – In what was their most important game of the season thus far, the Marauders were victorious tonight against the Brock Badgers. McMaster won 3-1, though the game was a close contest throughout. Coming from perhaps their weakest performance of the season last weekend against Queen’s, today’s victory against the top-ranked team in the OUA underscored the womens’ incredible resilience and ability to bounce back from their lows. 

As expected from two of the top teams in the league, the game was a close contest from the very start. Both teams went back and forth exchanging points in the first set. An especially long rally early on showed off both team’s strengths, as they played with perseverance, fast reaction times, and great recovery on defense to extend the rally. The entire set was played with both teams within 3 points of each other, until the very end when the Badgers started to pull away with a lead. Their strong presence at the net, which made it difficult for McMaster to land their hits, coupled with the impressive play of Emily Foest, who picked up 8 kills, caused the game to slip away from McMaster’s grasp as they went on to lose the set 25-20. The Marauders had powerful plays from the left side, led by outside hitters Emma McKinnon and Olivia Julien. Libero Hayley Brookes also had multiple well-placed passes to set up McMaster’s plays nicely as she recorded 3 digs and 2 assists. 

Brock continued their impressive frontcourt defense in the second set, putting up a wall at the net to help them win the first few points. However, big blocks of our own from middle Ellie Hatashita shifted the tide and McMaster took a lead, which they maintained for the majority of the set. Outside hitter Sullie Sundara, who was playing her first full game back from injury, was able to shake off her rust and remind everyone what she was capable of. The OUA All-Star and All-Canadian player picked up 4 kills in the set as she tried to keep her team in front. Setter Lauryn Colpitts also hustled hard with her accurate sets, crafty serves, and unexpected digs. Brock, however, caught up near the end due to their strong right-side play, led by Sadie Dick. Ellie Hatashita helped McMaster regain control with a series of impressive serves, and her immaculately-placed tip in the last play of the set allowed McMaster to win it 25-20. 

Hyped from their second set victory, the Marauders kept their foot on the gas. Sullie Sundara took many of the team’s hits in the third set and buried them. She also showed off her characteristic topspin jump serve, uncommon in a league where most women serve floaters, which resulted in a series of points for McMaster. They took an early 11-5 lead and extended it as they progressed through the set. Brock kept chipping away at the lead slowly but were ultimately unable to stop the Marauders from dominating. The set ended 25-18 for McMaster.

Once again, there was a close contest to start the fourth. Back to back aces from Ellie Hatashita, who was completely in the zone this set, helped McMaster pull in front early on. The team was also much stronger at the net, getting a hand on most of Brock’s attacks and winning jousts. McMaster’s ability to hustle was highlighted in yet more lengthy rallies where the women fought to keep the ball up against difficult swings. The energy was steadily rising in the gym as the end of the game approached. A cheeky dump from libero Christina Stratford had the entire McMaster bench up on their feet. Outside hitter Victoria Potvin was subbed in and immediately recorded an ace, rousing the crowd. Brock was able to stay close behind, though. Their hits from the left side, as well as their ever-present wall at the net, allowed them to hang on. The drama was heightened as McMaster made errors late in the set that brought the Badgers to just one point behind, 21-20. However, middle Jenna Woock was there to save the day. Her two kills and two blocks late in the set won it 25-22 for the Marauders, ending the game.

McMaster’s performance today was noticeably better than last weekend’s when the team lost two games against Queen’s. Although tonight’s game was likely daunting for the women, especially after disappointing losses, they played outstandingly and had multiple players with impressive stats. Olivia Julien had 12 kills, 2 aces, and 8 digs, stepping up for her team when she was most needed. After a shaky start in the first set, Sullie Sundara showed she was back and good as ever as she recorded 11 kills. Lauryn Colpitts was all over the court as usual, leading the team in both assists and digs with 35 and 10. Ellie Hatashita towered over Brock today at the middle position, picking up 3 kills, 3 aces, and a whopping 5 blocks. 

LOOKING FORWARD

The team’s job is not done yet, though. Tomorrow night, they face the Badgers again and look to repeat the result. Being the top-ranked team in the league, Brock will surely make it difficult for the women. But the Marauders should feel confident heading into the game as they have proved their ability to overcome whatever obstacles are thrown at them, staying strong under immense pressure. Catch the important rematch at 6 pm tomorrow.