BOX SCORE KINGSTON, Ont. (February 3, 2013) – The Queen's Gaels (12-4) women's volleyball team was in action Sunday afternoon against the McMaster Marauders (9-8) at the ARC Main Gym in a five set thriller that saw Queen's clinch home court playoff advantage with the 3-2 (25-14,12-25,25-13,23-25,15-9) victory.
 
Before the game the three graduating athletes from Queen's were honoured in front of the Gaels faithful, and were presented with a memento from Coach Joely Christian-Macfarlane. Gaels middle Katie Neville (Cambridge, Ont.) is known as a leader of the squad and played a pivotal role in last years OUA Championship run. Anna Pedjase (Waterloo, Ont.), the quarterback of the Gaels squad, is a crucial member of the Gaels and currently sits 10th in the nation with 419 assists. Colleen Ogilvie (Calgary), who has been a Gael since 2007, is top ten statistically in the CIS with 3.1 points/game. Queen's will miss these graduating athletes, who are great role-models both on and off the court.
 
It was all Ogilvie early in the first, with the veteran outside-hitter recording two kills and an ace to put Queen's off to a 5-2 run in the opening set. McMaster was able to pull within a few points until Katie Neville scored back-to-back kills to start another 5-0 run from the Gaels. Up 16-10 at the technical timeout, Queen's was able to close out the set rather efficiently, with Kelsey Bishop (North Vancouver, B.C.) recording three of the Gaels final nine set points.
 
The second set featured more offensive spark from the Marauders, with McMaster going on an 8-2 run led by three service aces from Mira Krunic (Oakville, Ont.). The Marauders never let up in the second, keeping the Gaels at bay and closing out the set 25-12.
 
Queen's was able to find their scoring touch again in the third set with Katie Neville recording an early kill and service ace to give the tricolour some momentum. The Gaels and Marauders proceeded to exchange points with McMaster eventually pulling even with Queen's. Ogilvie was again able to take over, recording four straight Gaels kills, with Shannon Walsh (Perth Road, Ont.) notching a service ace to close out the third, 25-13 in Queen's favour.
 
Katie Neville wasted no time getting the Gaels on the board in the fourth, recording two service aces to give Queen's an early 4-0 lead. Five early errors from the Gaels allowed the Marauders to climb back in the match, with both teams staying even throughout most of the set. Late in the set and tied at 23, a Krunic service ace followed by a Gaels attacking error was able to give McMaster life and a fifth set.
 
McMaster's momentum carried over into the fifth set with the Maruaders taking an early 4-1 lead in the set. Strong defensive play from Bishop in the fifth set allowed the Gaels to compile a run and draw even with McMaster. The teams exchanged points, until the Gaels were able to go on a 4-0 run lead by strong hitting from Brett Hagarty (Aurora, Ont.). A pair of attacking errors from the Marauders gave Queen's a 13-9 lead. A Bishop kill off the Marauders defenders followed by an error from the McMaster back-court allowed the Gaels to close out the set and a 3-2 victory.

Gaels veteran setter Anna Pedjase earned the Dominos “Dominator of the Game” title, leading the game with 36 assists. She also pitched in two kills and a service ace.
 
The Queen's Gaels women's volleyball team returns to action next weekend when they hit the road to visit the Toronto Varsity Blues and Ryerson Rams. The Gaels currently sit fourth in the OUA, with Ryerson in third and Toronto in fourth. Two wins on the road would provide timely momentum for the Gaels heading into the post season. Queen's starts the trip Saturday in Toronto, where they visit the Varsity Blues at the University of Toronto Athletic Centre. Game time is set for 1pm.