HAMILTON, Ont. – History was made at Burridge Gymnasium on Friday evening when McMaster Marauders’ (8-10) Maxime Gratton (Ottawa, Ont.) scored his 1,000th career point in match against the Queen’s Gaels (14-4). Congratulations are in order for Gratton on this remarkable achievement.
McMaster came out strong in the first set when Jared Kuiken (London, Ont.) delivered a service ace to give the Marauders the lead. The Gaels kept the score close, but strong kills from Gratton, Kaden Zunti (Burlington, Ont.) and Ashton Fox-Kristense (Elora, Ont.) helped the Marauders extend their advantage. A service ace from Fox-Kristense brought the score to 24-20, and a block from Jason Heidbuurt (Hamilton, Ont.) clinched the set for McMaster, 25-21.
Fox-Kristense opened the second set with the first point and later added his second service ace of the match, bringing the score to 11-13 in an attempt to keep the match close. It remained tight, but Queen’s pulled away for a 25-19 win, tying the match at 1-1.
The third set followed a familiar pattern, with Queen’s taking a slim lead and applying pressure on the Marauders. The Gaels won the set 25-17, taking a 2-1 lead in the match.
McMaster regained the upper hand in the fourth set, with a double block by Fox-Kristense and Zunti. The set featured powerful kills and strong blocks, giving the Marauders the competitive edge. A kill from Gratton sealed the set for McMaster, 25-19, sending the match to a decisive fifth set with the score tied at 2-2.
In the final set, Seth O’Brien (Kingston, Ont.) and Grayson Jarrett (Camrose, Alta.) played strongly, contributing with multiple kills and blocks to keep the score close. However, Queen’s managed to extend their lead, winning the set 15-11 and taking the match 3-2.
On Saturday, McMaster held senior night for its last regular-season home game to honour graduating Marauders. The Marauders made a comeback against the Gaels, finishing the match 3-2.
The first set was close, with both teams trying to pull ahead. The Marauders made good plays with strong kills in an attempt to hold off the Gaels. Ashton Fox-Kristense made a service ace to bring the score to 21-19, moments before Queen’s tied it up. It remained close until the very end, but the Gaels won the set 27-25.
Set two followed the same back-and-forth pattern. Big blocks from Kuiken and Fox-Kristense, followed by service aces from Gratton, Kuiken, and Fox-Kristense, helped the Marauders pull away and win the set 25-16.
McMaster gave its best effort in the third set, but Queen’s kept up the pressure. The Gaels held their lead, winning the set 25-19, and taking a 2-1 advantage over McMaster. However, in the fourth set, the Marauders came out strong with notable plays. Due to strategic moves and big kills, McMaster won the set 25-21, tying the match 2-2.
Tension was high going into the fifth set, and Burridge Gymnasium was filled with energy. The Marauders quickly took the lead and held a comfortable advantage. Heidbuurt made a service ace, bringing the score to 7-1, and McMaster went on to win the set 15-5. The Marauders finished the match 3-2, splitting the weekend.
Up Next: The Marauders will take on the Waterloo Warriors in Waterloo, Ont., on Feb. 14 and 15.
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