February 21, 2007
MARAUDERS OUTLAST GAELS IN GAME ONE OF CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
HAMILTON, Ont. – Since the 2003–04 season McMaster and Queen's have been on a collision course, meeting tonight for the eighteenth time. Constantly playing one another has created a special rivalry, one that brings out the best in each team. In game one of the OUA Championship, McMaster was able to snatch victory from the Golden Gaels, 3–2 (25–18, 22–25, 25–23, 22–25, 18–16). MAC used a balanced scoring attack and great teamwork, while Queen's relied on OUA Player of the Year Devon Miller (Barrie, ON) to direct their offence.
McMaster took an 8–6 lead into the first technical timeout of the game, with Parrish Offer (Kingston, ON) making a huge block and extending it to 9–6. Down 13–8, Queen's called timeout to slow down the Marauder offence. It worked for one point, until Adam Schulz (St. Catharines, ON) left his mark on the ball from the back row. MAC eventually extended their lead to 20–12 after Miller was called for a lift. Queen's made a small rally but it wasn't enough, with middle Nate Groenveld (Welland, ON) putting the set away 25–18.
Queen's took the early momentum and a 5–1 lead in the second set, forcing Coach Preston to go to his bench bringing in sophomore setter Ryan Hudson (Winnipeg, MB) and OUA Rookie of the Year Shawn Bench (St. Catharines, ON). Coming out of the second technical timeout, Queen's libero Steve Willis (Kingston, ON) made a diving dig, sending the ball back into Marauder hands, where Hudson set the second hitter in a tandem, Schulz. MAC reenergized by the Schulz's kill, he had a team high 14 on the night, and a line shot from Freshman Scott Coulthard (Wingham, ON), rallied back from a 20–13 deficit. Unfortunately for the Marauders it was too late, Queen's took the set 25–22.
Despite losing the second set they had once again gained the momentum, taking leads of 4–1, 8 –6, 12–8 and 16–14. This time it was captain Paul Hrkal's (Caledon East) turn to pump up his teammates, pummeling a quick right down the middle after the timeout. Tied at 20–20, Groenveld put away one of his ten kills and teamed up with his younger brother Jeremy to stuff Dan McCrae (Pickering, ON). An ace from Schulz and kills from the younger Groenveld put the third set away, 25 –23 for the Marauders.
In the fourth, MAC squandered an early lead and trailed 19–17. The Marauders could not keep pace with Queen's and eventually lost 25–22.
The fifth and final set was tough for both teams. They matched each other point for point with Hrkal once again rising to the occasion, taking the ball right out of Hudson's hands and sending it straight down to the floor. Queen's responded scoring three quick points to take a 11–8 lead. The Marauders didn't fold and clawed their way back. Tied at 14–14 another Hrkal block gave McMaster the lead, only to have Nate Groenveld miss his serve. Queen's would then be called for a net violation, giving MAC the 16–15 lead. The Golden Gaels immediately called timeout and came out to tie the game at 16–16. Hudson went right back to his big man in the middle letting Hrkal rain down again. A Queen's hitting error would give the Marauders the set 18–16 and game one of the best of three Championship series.
Hudson recorded 44 assists for MAC while Miller had a game high 57 for the Golden Gaels.
Hrkal finished the day with 12 kills, while two-time OUA All-Star Dan Smedley (Woodbridge, ON) finished with 13.
Queen's hitters Jeff DeMeza and McCrae had 22 and 17 kills respectively.
The series now shifts to Kingston with game two taking place on Thursday, February 22, 2007. A homecoming of sorts for Kingston natives, Offer and rookie Tyler Santoni, game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Physical Education Complex. Game three if necessary will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Queen's.
(Source: Michael P. Hall, McMaster Sports Information)
McMaster took an 8–6 lead into the first technical timeout of the game, with Parrish Offer (Kingston, ON) making a huge block and extending it to 9–6. Down 13–8, Queen's called timeout to slow down the Marauder offence. It worked for one point, until Adam Schulz (St. Catharines, ON) left his mark on the ball from the back row. MAC eventually extended their lead to 20–12 after Miller was called for a lift. Queen's made a small rally but it wasn't enough, with middle Nate Groenveld (Welland, ON) putting the set away 25–18.
Queen's took the early momentum and a 5–1 lead in the second set, forcing Coach Preston to go to his bench bringing in sophomore setter Ryan Hudson (Winnipeg, MB) and OUA Rookie of the Year Shawn Bench (St. Catharines, ON). Coming out of the second technical timeout, Queen's libero Steve Willis (Kingston, ON) made a diving dig, sending the ball back into Marauder hands, where Hudson set the second hitter in a tandem, Schulz. MAC reenergized by the Schulz's kill, he had a team high 14 on the night, and a line shot from Freshman Scott Coulthard (Wingham, ON), rallied back from a 20–13 deficit. Unfortunately for the Marauders it was too late, Queen's took the set 25–22.
Despite losing the second set they had once again gained the momentum, taking leads of 4–1, 8 –6, 12–8 and 16–14. This time it was captain Paul Hrkal's (Caledon East) turn to pump up his teammates, pummeling a quick right down the middle after the timeout. Tied at 20–20, Groenveld put away one of his ten kills and teamed up with his younger brother Jeremy to stuff Dan McCrae (Pickering, ON). An ace from Schulz and kills from the younger Groenveld put the third set away, 25 –23 for the Marauders.
In the fourth, MAC squandered an early lead and trailed 19–17. The Marauders could not keep pace with Queen's and eventually lost 25–22.
The fifth and final set was tough for both teams. They matched each other point for point with Hrkal once again rising to the occasion, taking the ball right out of Hudson's hands and sending it straight down to the floor. Queen's responded scoring three quick points to take a 11–8 lead. The Marauders didn't fold and clawed their way back. Tied at 14–14 another Hrkal block gave McMaster the lead, only to have Nate Groenveld miss his serve. Queen's would then be called for a net violation, giving MAC the 16–15 lead. The Golden Gaels immediately called timeout and came out to tie the game at 16–16. Hudson went right back to his big man in the middle letting Hrkal rain down again. A Queen's hitting error would give the Marauders the set 18–16 and game one of the best of three Championship series.
Hudson recorded 44 assists for MAC while Miller had a game high 57 for the Golden Gaels.
Hrkal finished the day with 12 kills, while two-time OUA All-Star Dan Smedley (Woodbridge, ON) finished with 13.
Queen's hitters Jeff DeMeza and McCrae had 22 and 17 kills respectively.
The series now shifts to Kingston with game two taking place on Thursday, February 22, 2007. A homecoming of sorts for Kingston natives, Offer and rookie Tyler Santoni, game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Physical Education Complex. Game three if necessary will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Queen's.
(Source: Michael P. Hall, McMaster Sports Information)
