M-Volleyball: Saturday Roundup
Windsor, 1 @ Ryerson, 3
Former OUA all-rookie selection Greg McDonald powered the Ryerson Rams to their fourth victory of the season, recording 23 kills as the Rams came from a set down and stormed to a 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22) decision over the Windsor Lancers on Saturday night. The fourth-year hitter also had two blocks and an ace, while fifth-year veteran Chris McLaughlin was solid as well, raking in 12 kills and 15 points. Kyle Williamson (Essex, Ont.), who was named the player of the match for Windsor, had a team-high 15 points in the defeat.
McLaughlin (Ottawa) quickly put the Rams in front with two straight aces, but Williamson answered right back with a couple of his own, and the teams stayed close, the Lancers holding a slim 8-7 lead at the first technical of the opening set. They padded the advantage by the second break, going up by three, and then by five with the score at 22-17. McDonald then grabbed three straight points for the Rams, nailing a kill and then stuffing the Lancers at the net twice in a row. Windsor coach Huub Kemmere called a timeout to stop the momentum and it proved effective as the Lancers took two consecutive points right after the break. Jimmy El-Turk (Windsor, Ont.) stuffed the Rams at the net on the final point, securing the first set for the Lancers.
The visitors jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the second, but some errors on their part allowed Ryerson to stay in the set early on. Bryce Workman (St. Louis, MO) came up with a couple of blocks for the Rams, but the Lancers still maintained a three point lead coming out of the second technical timeout. With the score at 20-17 Lancers, McLaughlin started the rally with a kill in the open court. Robert Earl was then substituted in to serve, and came up with an ace on his first touch of the ball. The Ottawa native's second serve threw the Lancers off once again, and they could not mount a proper attack, as the Rams evened the match. Brett Penrose then came up big, stuffing the Lancers for a block, and McDonald went on to tally two more kills late in the set. McLaughlin served up an ace on set point, and Ryerson equalized the contest at 1-1.
Windsor continued to struggle with consistency in the fourth set, as they once again started strong, leading 4-0, but went into the first timeout down 8-6. Roman Kabanov, who had been quiet through the first couple of sets, came alive recording a couple of blocks and kills while McLaughlin continued to be hot, powering the ball through Windsor's blockers on multiple occasions. The Lancers answered back later in the set, and both sides seemed to find their rhythm, trading points as the score went to 21-20 in favour of Ryerson. The Rams held their composure, and Kabanov came through again with a block to push Windsor to the brink again. On the following play, Windsor committed an error, and the Rams would take their first lead of the match, up 2-1.
The Rams got off to a better start in the fourth set, going up 9-5 after two more kills from the Thamesville, Ont. native McDonald. The Rams held a lead for the better part of the set, but the Lancers threatened to snatch it away in the latter stages, as another point by El-Turk and some strong play by John Edwards brought them level with the Rams at 19-19. However, Kabanov (Toronto) and McDonald came up with two timely kills, and on their second match point, the big middle was clutch, stuffing the last Lancer attack and securing Ryerson's first victory in nearly two months.
The victory brings the Rams (4-8) within four points of both the Lancers (6-5) and Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (6-6), as they sit tied with the Waterloo Warriors in seventh place. Ryerson will continue its post-season hunt next weekend, hosting the York Lions (2-9) on Friday night (Jan. 14) at 8:00 p.m. before heading a few blocks north to the Athletic Centre at the University of Toronto for a 4:00 p.m. date with the Varsity Blues.
Source: Ryerson Sports Info
Western, 3 @ York, 0
The undefeated Western Mustangs were back on the road Saturday afternoon downing York in straight sets by 25-19, 25-16 and 25-23.
The Mustangs are now 12-0 on the season in OUA play. They continue their current road trip next weekend as they face Guelph and McMaster on Jan. 14 and 15. Both games are scheduled to start at 8 p.m.
Source: Western Sports Info
McMcaster, 1 @ Waterloo, 3
The Warriors showed they can compete with the top teams in the OUA as they defeated the no. 10 McMaster Marauders on Saturday evening at the PAC gym in Waterloo. The Warriors, who just came off a straight set loss to the Guelph Gryphons did not sit back as they went after the Marauders early and often.
McMaster narrowly won the first set 25-23 but the Warriors bounced back to win three straight (20, 21, 22) en route to their fourth victory of the season. The victory was big for the black and gold to keep their playoff hopes alive as they now sit tied for eighth spot in the OUA, four points behind Laurier for the final playoff spot.
A familiar name led the way for Waterloo as Fiodar Kazhamiaka (Waterloo, Ont.) had 16 kills and one block. Middle Jordan Dyck (St. Catharines, Ont.) and outside hitter Aleks Poldma (Toronto, Ont.) each added 11 kills and a combined 13 blocks. Scott Thomson was on his game once again with 48 assists.
For the Marauders a pair of middle’s Tyler Santoni (Kingston, Ont.) and Michael Sjonnesen (Cambridge, Ont.) had 11 kills each. Setter Austin Campion-Smith (Bowmanville, Ont.) had 47 assists in the loss.
Source: Waterloo Sports Info
Guelph, 3 @ Laurier, 0
