KINGSTON, Ont. (January 15, 2017) - The Queen's Gaels (6-4) defeated RMC Paladins (2-8) in their first game of 2017. The final set scores of the games were 25-15, 25-20 and 25-14 in favour of Queen's. 

GAME FLOW
The game started with a battle for points, the scores being tied at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 6-6, and 8-8. At the ninth point the Gaels began to gain momentum and ran the score up 12-8 forcing an RMC timeout. The Paladins picked up a point right after but the Gaels had built up enough of a lead that they held on for the set. Some great decision making by the Gaels Markus Trence (Orangeville, Ont.) on the outside put the Gaels in control winning 25-15.

The second set was similar to the first being another one point game, which kept the score within a point and suspense in the ARC. With the score tied at 15-15 RMC got the next point as both teams headed to the technical timeout. The timeout didn't swing momentum either way as the score stayed tied through to 20-20. A big attack by Zac Hutcheson (Kingston, Ont.) gave the Gaels the lead again at 21-20, then Austin Payne (Kingston, Ont.) added another huge attack to put Queen's ahead by two forcing Paladin's called a timeout.  The timeout does not take away from the Gaels as they take a three point lead with a score of 23-20 and immediately the Paladin's called another timeout.  Again, it is of no help when the Gaels earn another point, then a service ace by Hutcheson decides the set in favour of Queen's 25-20. 

A service ace by RMC started the third set, and the Paladins built up a 5-1 lead looking to make a match of it. Out of a timeout early in the set the Gaels were able to put points together and found themselves ahead of RMC at the technical timeout up 16-12.  Queen's fought hard and came out on top winning the third and final set with a score of 25-14 for the Gaels, clinching the match 3-0. 

A special mention in todays game goes to Jamie Wright (Kingston, Ont.) who had a phenomenal day setting up his teammates for 34 assists. 

BY THE NUMBERS 
6- The number of days until the Gaels rematch RMC 
4- The Gaels currently sit 4th in the OUA East Division

FINAL SAY
"I really think we gelled today and communicated well as a team. We are on a really good start here for 2017 we just need to keep that moving forward to make playoffs." -Jonathan Reid (Player)

UP NEXT
The Gaels (6-4) will be staying in Kingston travelling to RMC where they will rematch the Paladin's. The game is on January 21st at 3pm.