Mac shakes off Toronto losses

By: John Bauer

If McMaster’s women’s volleyball team can take one positive from the past week’s sweeps at the hands of Ryerson and U of T, it is that they have been in the same situation before, and it did not turn out so bad for them. They lost to both teams in the regular season last year as well, before going on to beat Toronto when it counted in OUA semi-finals en route to the Ontario title. The Marauders are no doubt hoping history repeats itself later this year.

The Nov. 19 game was much closer than the 19-25, 25-27, 23-25 decision indicates. Both teams finished with near identical stats, save the Rams’ ten service aces to McMaster’s five, which made the difference in a tight game. Maicee Sorensen led the Marauder offence with 13.5 kills.

Saturday’s match showed why the Toronto Varsity Blues are the favourites to come out of the OUA, as they handed McMaster a 9-25, 21-25, 19-25 defeat. Toronto’s defence limited the Marauder’s big guns to a paltry 0.06 kill efficiency, though Joanna Jedrzejewska did manage 11 points.

Following the games, captain Taylor Brisebois felt her teammates and her were not quite back to playing at the level that won them the championship last year.

“We are capable of more than [that] we believe, so at this point we will work on improving intensity at practice and focus on minimizing our errors,” Brisebois said. “We will keep getting better throughout the season and next time we see them we will be a different team and they won’t know what’s coming.”

The Marauders play Brock and Guelph on Nov. 28 and 29,  before breaking for exams.

Despite suffering consecutive losses for the first time this season, the final games before the break do not have any special significance in Brisebois’ eyes.

“Every single game is important, no matter the time or the opponent, we are always looking to improve and get the win.”

Although every game is important, Brisebois is without a doubt hoping for another shot at Ryerson or U of T in the playoffs.

“We will definitely see one or both of those teams again and I look forward to it.”