The Queen's Gaels fell just short in another 3-2 five-set game against the Brock Badgers on Saturday afternoon at the ARC. The Gaels fought hard and held a 2-1 lead but were edged out by the Badgers in the fourth and fifth sets to fall 3-2.
Leading the Gaels on offense was fourth year outside hitter Abigail McAlpine (Arts & Science) with 25 kills, 2 service aces, 10 digs, 1 solo block, and 5 block assists for an incredible total of 30.5 points in the game. Third year outside hitter Claire Carter (Business) posted 16 points, with 12 kills, 1 service ace, 2 solo blocks, and 2 block assists. Supporting the offense, third year setter Ellaina Coley (Arts & Science) had a great game, making 43 assists, two kills, and one service ace. Defensively, fifth year libero Holly Biasi (Arts & Science) made 17 digs.
The Gaels came out hungry for redemption after last night's five-set loss and found themselves an early lead in the first set. Third year Carter, who led the OUA and U SPORTS in service aces last regular season, picked up their first service ace of the season. Setter Colley and middle Christine Abu (Arts & Science) connected at the net to come up with a quick kill before the Badgers could react. Outside hitter McAlpine was a force to be reckoned with, as they picked up six kills in the first set. The Badgers were the first to call a timeout as the Gaels began to distance themselves with an 18-11 lead. The break from play did not slow the Gaels' momentum, as they forced Brock to use their second timeout and advanced to a 21-12 lead. Queen's reached set point with a comfortable 10-point lead and closed out the set 25-14 with a kill from Carter.
After stunning the Badgers in the first set, Brock seemed to find some momentum as the teams continued to tie up to the 7th point in the second set. The away team made three consecutive kills, earning a 10-7 lead and resulting in the first Queen's timeout of the game. The Gaels showed their depth as they tried to close in on the Badgers' lead after the timeout, with kills coming from Lauren MacPhail (Arts & Science), Pascale Galarneau (Health Sciences), McAlpine, and Carter. Late in the set, first year outside hitter Lauren Matthes (Arts & Science) subbed in to make their first two OUA career kills, exciting the home bench. Despite this, the Badgers reached set point first and were able to win the set 25-19, tying the game back up 1-1.
The third set started similarly to the second, with the teams matching each other point for point. Queen's began to find a small lead after a four-point run. Setter Colley made a smart read to send the ball over on the second contact, earning their first kill of the game and elating the home crowd. Abu and Colley each put up a strong service ace, contributing to the offensive momentum. The home team held this small but consistent lead through the set, until Brock brought newfound energy late in the set. Brock fought their way back, earning 7 out of 8 points and closing the Gaels' lead to 24-23. Second year Tasmin Munro (Life Sciences) came through for Queen's, making the kill when it mattered most for the Gaels to win the set 25-23.
With the Gaels one set away from taking the game, the Badgers were not going down without a fight. Queen's started with a small lead, however, a seven-point run by Brock mid-set helped them to a significant 23-16 lead late in the set. A kill and ace from McAlpine, along with a kill each from Abu and Galarneau, closed the Brock lead to 24-19. Despite this, the Badgers took the fourth set 25-19, extending the game to a fifth set for the second night in a row.
The intensity in the ARC was high in the fifth set, as the teams continued to tie up until the 14th point. Setter Colley made their second kill of the game mid-set, thrilling the Queen's team. Big kills came from Carter and McAlpine, as the Gaels took a narrow 13-12 lead, but attack errors late in the game brought the lead back to Brock. Ultimately, the Badgers narrowly emerged on top, with a 16-14 fifth set win to take the game 3-2.
Up next, the Gaels will face off against the Trent Excalibur on Friday, October 31st at 6pm at home, where they will look to pick up their first win of the season.
