THUNDER BAY, Ont. (November 23, 2019) The Queen's Gaels (5-3) defeated the Lakehead Thunderwolves (1-7) 3-1 Saturday evening in OUA women's volleyball action. 
 
GAME FLOW
It was a long road trip for Queen's as they made the trek north to Thunder Bay, Ontario for their lone match of the weekend to take on Lakehead.
 
The Gaels took an early lead over the Thunderwolves, with impressive blocking on defence, the Gaels picked up the first set 25-17. 
 
The second set was evenly matched. The Gaels trailed the Thunderwolves for a majority of the set, however a mid-set tie pushed the Gaels into the lead, ultimate taking the set 25-16.  Outside hitter, Julia Wiercigroch's offence shone, with a match total of 10 kills. 
 
The Gaels led the match 2-0 entering the third set. However, the Queen's could not maintain their defence, and the Thunderwolves took set three 25-23. 
 
Set four continued with the point for point pattern that the Gaels and the Thunderwolves established in the third set. However, the Tricolour were able to put down aggressive offence that resulted in the Gaels finishing on top of the fourth set 25-21. Big serves from outsider hitter Arielle Palermo characterized the match as she closed with three serving aces. Palermo also played well both on offensce and defense; racking up a total of 17 kills, a hitting percentage of .209 and tallying 11 digs. Likewise, Libero, Vivian Zantel showed strong though the entire match on defence, piling up a total of 14 digs.

Lauryn Colpitts had a career night as she finished with a new career best of 45 assists continuously feeding the Gaels attackers with Palermo and Wiercigroch having strong matches along with Teah Cook who had nine kills and Danielle Corrigan who had six.

MUST SEE 
The Gaels put up the block in set one

W🏐| A big block from the middle by the Gaels and they are up on Lakehead in the opening set 💪
—#ChaGheill #LeadTheWay pic.twitter.com/h5LX2yuqBD

— Queen's Gaels (@queensgaels) November 24, 2019

 
BY THE NUMBERS 
14 - Total kills difference: Gaels= 47 Thunderwolves = 33
9 - Aces for the Gaels
4 - Solo and one assisted block for Cook
45 - Assists for Colpitts
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will return in the New Year to face off against the Trent Excalibur in Peterborough Ontario on January 10 at 4:00 pm.