KINGSTON, Ont. (November 10, 2017) – The Queen's Gaels (3-1) defeated Guelph 3-2 in a five set thriller on home court Friday night. The scores were 25-11, 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, and 15-7.

GAME FLOW
Opening play, the Guelph Gryphons took the first two points of the game. Quick to respond, the Gaels put up the next eight points to climb 8-2 and never looked back. Led by fifth-year Shannon Neville (Cambridge, Ont.) who had three aces during the first frame, the Gaels took the first set 25-11 over the Gryphons.

Despite a strong start, the second set saw Guelph take a 9-point run, all off the serve of Gryphons right side hitter Jessica Chung. Climbing from a 9-1 deficit, Neville stepped up with another ace. The Gryphons did not back down and continued to push the score to 17-8. Fighting their way back into the game, the Gaels were able to get within four, but Guelph took the second set 25-20.

With both sides exchanging points throughout play, the third set was a close affair that saw multiple tied scores. Late in the frame, the Gaels went on a run and scored six of seven points for a 20-19 led by attack from Julia Wiercigroch (Mississauga, Ont.) and Olivia Van Baaren (Ottawa).

Tied again at 21-21 in what could be described as a see-saw set, the next score would come from the Tricolour. Not letting up, the Gryphons would take the next two points to climb 23-22 followed by an Guelph ace. From there, the Gryphons kept rolling and took the third set 25-22.

Up two sets to one, the Gryphons would serve to open the fourth set. It would be Neville who would put the Gaels on the scoreboard first. Another close frame would see the sixth tie of the fourth set at 12-12. Edging away a point at a time, the Gryphons looked to push the margin, but the Gaels responded with a point to tie each time.

The Gaels would take their biggest lead of the set, 18-14,  with a huge block from Neville. Riding the momentum, Queen's would hit the turn for the first time in four sets at 20-18. A third service error from the Gryphons would see the Gaels take the fourth set with a 25-22 score to push the game to a fifth set level 2-2.

Coming out strong, Queen's would put up the first four points of the fifth and final set. Entering the technical timeout, the Gaels led 8-1 thanks to a strong defensive effort.

With seven match points, the five set thriller would fall in the favour of the Gaels 15-7.

With the win, Queen's move to 3-1 on the season.

BY THE NUMBERS
14 - Kills by Shannon Neville to lead the Gaels attack
39 - Assists from Sierra Hardy
17 - Serve aces from the Gaels 
1 - One man down after Caroline Livingston leaves partway through the game with an injury
7 - Queen's held Guelph to just 7 points during the fifth se

UP NEXT
The Gaels will return to the ARC tomorrow night when they welcome the Waterloo Warriors (3-2) to the ARC. Game time is set for 6 pm.