KINGSTON, Ont. – The Queen's Gaels eased to a 3-0 (25-9, 26-24, 25-20) sweep of the RMC Paladins in OUA men's volleyball action at the ARC Main Gym, Friday.

The Gaels' most dominant set was the first, as they eased to a 25-9 win, riding strong play from Brett Walter (Sudbury, Ont.) who recorded three of his match-high five service aces in the first set. Middle Blocker Scott Brunet (Calgary, Alta.) had back-to-back kills to give the Gaels a commanding 12-5 lead. A powerful kill into open floor by Stephen Holmes (Ancaster, Ont.) followed by a timely block gave the Gaels an 18-5 lead. The Paladins committed four straight errors to close the set out for the Gaels.

In the second set it was RMC opening the scoring 4-2, capitalizing on Queen's attacking errors. The Gaels were led by their front line, with Holmes notching two aces, and Darren Edwards (Waterdown, Ont.) one. Miscommunication and a series of service errors, followed by a big block upfront by the Paladins gave them the lead late, 24-23. Mike Tomlinson (Stratford, Ont.) had an impressive block to draw things even, followed by an ace to give the Gaels the lead. A Markus Trence (Orangeville, Ont.) kill closed out the set, 26-24 for the Tricolour.
 
Queen's got things started in the third with an Edwards block, followed by an ace. Trence had a field day in the third; first knocking a kill off RMC middle blocker Jeffery Filmore's head; then recording two additional kills to give the Gaels a commanding six-point lead at 12-6. Two well-placed balls by Walter into open court followed by a service ace put Queen's up 21-15. The Gaels closed out the match with kills from Brunet, Edwards and Trence.
 
Stephen Holmes was the Gaels' leader offensively, recording seven kills. Matthew Bonshor (White Rock, B.C.) lead the game in assists with 29, as he was pivotal in setting up much of the Gaels offense.
 
The Gaels are next in action in the New Year, when they travel to Toronto for the York Excalibur Tournament. The tournament starts on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.