The men’s volleyball team experienced their first tough weekend of the season with a testing victory over the Guelph Gryphons 3-2 last Saturday and a tight loss to the McMaster Marauders 3-2 on Sunday. They are now second in the OUA with a 7-1 record.
Serving proved to be an issue for the Gaels all weekend. They made 41 service errors while their opponents only made 25.
While the loss to the Marauders ended the Gaels’ perfect record, the team put up a good fight given their circumstances. With injuries to veterans Daniel Rosenbaum, Niko Rukavina and Joren Zeeman as well as second-year outsider Nick LeBlanc, the Gaels have been forced to use their depth to overcome the significant absences.
Although the injuries are unfortunate, they have given some of the Gaels’ younger players a chance to gain some valuable experience.
Head coach Brenda Willis said she was proud of her team this weekend.
Willis echoed Fautley’s concern with the team’s serving.
Willis said she was also frustrated with the OUA’s failure to schedule equal rest time for the Marauders, who had 24 hours’ rest before Sunday’s game, and the Gaels, who only had 18 hours. This error, along with their home court advantage, gave the Marauders a leg up on Sunday.
The team’s focus is on this weekend’s home games against the Western Mustangs and the Windsor Lancers. Western is a major rival as well as the only team ahead of the Gaels in the OUA, while the Lancers are close to the Gaels at fourth.
The men’s volleyball team will play the Western Mustangs Saturday at 1 p.m and the Windsor Lancers Sunday at 2 p.m. at the ARC.