KINGSTON, Ont. (November 4, 2016) - After going down 2-0 Friday night, the Gaels (1-1) came out a new team in the final two sets, but still conceded a 3-1 loss to the Ryerson Rams (2-1), 25-17, 25-18, 20-25, and 25-22.

GAME FLOW
Queen's struggled out of the gate, committing more attacking errors than kills in the opening set. The Rams enjoyed a comfortable lead by the technical timeout, and had no problem taking a 1-0 lead after winning 25-17. 

The second set saw notable imrovement from the tricolour, who limited their errors significantly to increase their efficiency on offence. Unfortunately for Queen's, the second was Ryerson's best set of the match, only allowing two attacking errors while heavy hitters Lucas Coleman and Uchenna Ofoha led the Rams two 16 kills in the frame. 

With the game on the line, the Gaels came to life in the third set. Dylan Hunt (Aurora, Ont.) got things going with an early ace before Markus Trence (Orangeville, Ont.) put the team on his back. The high-flying fourth year ignited the crowd when he came up with kill after kill, swinging hard at every ball setter Jamie Wright (Kingston, Ont.) sent his way. Trence also made his presence felt on defence, scoring points and keeping the momentum with the Gaels on a number of timely blocks. Thanks to a stellar set, Queen's won 25-20 to force a fourth.

Despite more good play from Trence and the Gaels, the Rams were determined not to let the match get to a fifth set. The defences for both sides upped their game, facing more attacks in the final set than any other. After Queen's got to the technical timeout up 16-15, Ryerson pulled their way ahead. The rallies got longer as the Gaels tried to force a tie-breaker, but the Rams were able to close out the match with a 25-22 fourth set victory.

Trence finished the night with a career-high 21 kills and 24 points, when you take his blocks and a service ace into account. Joel Rudd (Cambridge, Ont.) was the next highest on the Gaels side of the scoresheet, with nine kills and 11.5 points on a service ace and three assisted blocks. Zac Hutcheson (Kingston, Ont.) joined Trence and Wright with a game-high seven digs. Wright had 30 assists.

On Ryerson's side of the net, Coleman finished with 16 kills, followed by Ofoha with 11. Coleman also led the game with four service aces. 

BY THE NUMBERS
24 - Markus Trence set a new career high with 24 points
3rd - Trence is third in the OUA with 29 kills this season

UP NEXT
Queen's is back in action against Toronto Saturday night at 8pm in the ARC Main Gym.