MAURADERS KEEP PRESSURE ON MUSTANGS IN WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL RACE
In a match that was wildly inconsistent for both teams at times, McMaster proved the steadier squad in the final two sets. In the first set, the Marauders jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, which forced Guelph to play from behind the whole set. The Gryphons struggled with serve receive the rest of the way and dropped a 25-14 decision.
Set 2 was a reversal of fortunes as Guelph's serving gave McMaster trouble with the Gryphons winning easily 25-13. In Sets 3 and 4, both teams settled down but the Marauders steadier play wore down Guelph as they won the matches 25-16 and 25-17.
Sarah Kiernan (Hamilton, Ont.) was a force for the Marauders with 12 kills, five blocks and one ace. Teammate Heidi Bench (St. Catharines, Ont.) contributed 13 kills and an ace.
The Gryphons were led by Stacie Jones (Coquitlam, B.C.), who had a strong effort off the bench scoring 12 points (10 kills, two aces) followed by Kylen Van Osch (Exeter, Ont.) with 10 (seven kills, three blocks) and Claire Sandor (Waterloo, Ont.) with nine (five kills, four blocks).
McMaster trails the first-place Western Mustangs by two points in the OUA West Division. Western has one game in hand.
The Marauders play the undefeated York Lions (17-0) in their regular-season finale this Saturday in Hamilton. The game starts at 6 p.m. at the Burridge Gym.
Source: Gryphons Athletics, with files from OUA Communications