KINGSTON, Ont. (January 22, 2016) – The Gaels (7-5) trumped the York Lions (4-8) with a 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-14, 25-20) win this Friday night at the ARC Main Gym in women's volleyball action.
Shannon Hopkins (North Vancouver) paved the way for the Gaels in their win chalking up a game high 16 kills along with 13 digs. She was followed up by
Makayla Keith (Calgary, Alta.) who smacked down 13 kills, picked up seven digs and scored three serving aces in the match.
For the visitors, Kayla Clennon led the offence with eight kills while Sarah Williams picked up 19 digs. Libero Carley Flemmer for York had a standout defensive performance scooping up a game high 32 digs.
GAME FLOW The two teams traded points in the opening minutes with the Lions getting the first big lead of the night at 5-2. The Gaels had a quick and strong response getting ahead 16-9 by the technical and following it with a three point run to get ahead 19-9. The Lions managed to make up a few points before handing the reins back to Queen's who put away the first set 25-15 off a final tip by Hopkins.
The Gaels let their momentum fuel them early in the second as they got ahead of the visitors 6-1. The Lions started to put pressure on the Gaels as they won three consecutive points off tight defensive rallies to get within one. Queen's still managed to stay ahead with an 18-13 lead at the second technical break, thanks in part to their early banked points to open the set.
The rest of the set was a hard fought battle for both teams as the Lions kept right on the heels of the Gaels. York pulled the rug out from under the Gaels in the final minutes as they grabbed their first lead of the match at 25-24 before winning the set point to tie the match at 1-1.
For the third set in a row the Gaels put the first points on the board in hopes of keeping the Lions from scoring another set win. With their defence in fine form, the Lions caught the Gaels to tie it all up at 6-6 only to let Queen's get away to lead yet again at the technical, this time up 16-7. The Gaels used the lead to their advantage and off a kill from
Shannon Neville (Cambridge, Ont.) wrapped up the third set 25-14.
For the first time in the match the Lions put up the first points of the frame hitting a four point run to get their biggest lead of the night. The Gaels found their way back onto the board but the Lions maintained their lead off back-to-back kills from Clennon. The competitive play continued as the Gaels caught the Lions and led 16-14 at the technical timeout looking to close out the match. Hopkins was the spark plug for the Gaels in the final minutes of action as the Lions kept it close just as they had in the second. Queen's held onto their lead and finished off their first home game of 2016 with the 3-1 win.
BY THE NUMBERS 3 – Current Queen's winning streak.
134 – Kills for Queen's Captain Neville this season.
0.326 – Percentage for Queen's in the fourth and final set
27 – Digs by Queen's libero
Becky Wilson (Pickering, Ont.).
5 - In the Gaels last five games they are 4-1
UP NEXT The Gaels will continue their home weekend and try to stretch their win streak to four tomorrow night when they host the Nipissing Lakers at 6:00 pm in the ARC Main Gym.
