The men’s volleyball team sullied their undefeated season with a split this weekend, falling 3-2 to the Western Mustangs on Friday before defeating Windsor in four sets on Saturday.
The Mustangs defeated the Gaels at the Ryerson Invitational Tournament last year. Queen’s started the match well.They were up two sets to one going into the fourth set, but surrendered the final two 25-21 and 15-10.
Gaels’ head coach Brenda Willis said a lack of concentration and effectiveness making adjustments allowed Western to come back to win. “Western played a great defence and we took too long to get back on track,” she said. “Not taking care of the little things allowed for us to be off balance.”
Queen’s middle hitter Chris Vandyk said the team was rattled when Western got a few points in a row.
“We controlled the play very well until half way through the fourth set, when Western went on a 10 point run. At that point, we seemed to get a little out of our comfort zone, and weren’t able to respond as well as we normally do,” he said.
“We had a big lead and let it slip away. But that said, it’s just one loss, and we are focused on preparing for this weekend.”
With libero Stu Hamilton still out with a wrist injury, Pete Galbraith has had to step up and fill the role.
The Gaels are also without star power hitter Luke Lichty, who’s recovering from shoulder surgery.
The men headed to Windsor Saturday for their second away game of the weekend.
Fifth-year setter Devon Miller said the team showed some fatigue in the second game.
“We got off to a slow start, and that probably had to do with the game the day before,” he said. “The second set we had to fight hard for and we pulled it out. The third and fourth set I thought we did a good job of controlling the pace, and played the way we wanted to play for the most part.”
Rookies Joren Zeeman and Michael Amoroso put up 21 and 10 points, respectively, against Windsor. The Gaels lost the first set but won the next three, beating the Lancers 19-25, 25-23, 25-13, and 25-20.
Outside hitter Sam Pedlow said the rookies have become valuable of the team.
“The new guys on the floor created a new look. These new faces proved to be both offensive and defensive threats.”
The women’s volleyball team, coming off a defeat the previous weekend to defending OUA champions, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, played at the Royal Military College.
Despite a large turnout for the home side, the Gaels managed a three-set sweep of the Paladins, beating them 25-10, 25-15 and 25-9.
The Gaels’ right-side hitter Lisa Cooke said the game demonstrated the team’s depth.
“Substitutions throughout the sets didn’t hinder our game or take away from our game objectives,” she said. “It’s nice to know that there is always someone on the bench who is capable of stepping onto the court and making a contribution, even when it’s not their primary position.” Libero Karlye Wong played right side for a portion of the third set, contributing one kill and four digs to the Gaels’ victory. Head coach Joely Christian said the team has room to improve.
“There are a few things that we have to get better at in respect to our performance consistency.”
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