The Queen's Gaels fell short in a thrilling 3-2 five-set home opener against the Brock Badgers on Friday night. The Gaels knew they were up for a challenge, with the Badgers having previously won the OUA title three times in the past four years.
Fourth year outside hitter Abigail McAlpine (Arts & Science) led the Gaels offense with 20 kills and 22 points, while third year outside hitter Claire Carter (Business) put up 13 kills. Fourth year setter Kennedy Millin (Education) supported the team with 41 assists and an impressive two kills. Fifth year libero Holly Biasi (Arts & Science) was solid defensively with 14 digs, while outside hitters Pascale Galarneau (Health Sciences), Carter, and McAlpine showed their versatility by each posting eight digs. Fourth year middle Christine Abu (Arts & Science) was solid at the net, leading the team with three solo blocks and two block assists.
The Badgers forced the Gaels to take their first timeout early in the first set, as the away team found a small 8-6 lead. Brock was able to hold a small but consistent lead, as Queen's tried to settle into their game. McAlpine picked up the Gaels' first service ace of the game, exciting the home team. Despite this, the Badgers held a 21-17 lead late in the set and were able to take the first set 25-20.
The Badgers continued with their momentum, picking up the first point of the second set. The Gaels showed resilience, immediately responding with a kill from McAlpine. Fourth year Abu came through with a huge kill after an early Queen's timeout, slowing the Badgers' momentum. Midway through the set, first year setter Kenzie Lahey (Arts & Science) subbed in to pick up their first OUA career point with a service ace off their first serve that thrilled the home bench. The teams exchanged the lead back and forth, tying the score all the way up to the 20th point. In the end, Brock managed to edge out the Gaels 25-23, bringing them one set away from the win.
With the game on the line, the Gaels came out firing in the third set. The home team matched the Badgers up to nine points each, followed by a Queen's three-point run to gain a 12-9 lead. This forced a Brock timeout, as the away team began to feel the Gaels' pressure. The teams proved to be closely matched, tying the score all the way up to the 20th point. Queen's reached match point first off of McAlpine's fifth kill of the set, exciting the home crowd. The home team stayed alive for another set, taking the third 25-23.
The fourth set opened how the third ended; offense was rolling on both sides, as the teams exchanged points back and forth. The Gaels gained their most substantial lead of the game, 13-9, with the pressure on the Badgers rising. Setter Millin made a kill off the second touch, taking the Badgers by surprise and elating the fans in the ARC. Queen's started to tear away with the lead, going up 19-14. A six-point streak from the away team closed the gap, with intensity on the rise. The Gaels forced the fifth set by narrowly taking the fourth 26-24.
After coming back two sets to none, the Gaels found their groove and were connecting on offense and defense. The fifth set was a nail biter, with the teams exchanging points and staying within one of each other on the scoreboard, until Brock took an 11-8 lead. A kill from middle Abu tied the game back up at 12-12. The Gaels used their last timeout of the game after a long rally that resulted in a 14-12 lead for Brock. Ultimately, the Badgers took the final set 15-13 to win the game in five sets.
Looking forward, the Gaels will rematch against the Brock Badgers tomorrow at 4pm at the ARC, where they will look to seek redemption.
