Hamilton, ON- Brady Paterson remembered what it felt like when it happened.
The McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team was up two sets to none on the Western Mustangs on Jan. 13, when outside hitters Maxime Gratton and Brendan Mills collided head-on-head. Both went to the ground – Mills staying down for a while – before going out of the game.
Paterson remembers that super scary feeling inside. The first-year outside hitter lives with both of them and is close with them. “It’s a scary sight to see,” he said. “It almost made my heart drop.”
Marauders head coach Brad Douwes immediately thought about them as people and wanted to make sure they were okay. The McMaster medical staff tended to the players quickly and effectively, which Douwes credited them for.
However, now the Marauders were down two of their top players. Now, they had to figure out how to play out without Mills and Gratton.
Douwes took a look to his bench…and the few options they had. He looked to first-year outside hitter Grayson Jarrett and fourth-year outside hitter Thomas Williams and called their number. They made an impact as McMaster dropped the third set but won the fourth won to close out the game.
Douwes praised Williams’ blocking, aggressive attacking and tough serving. He praised Jarrett’s serving and attacking.
“I thought both those guys stepped up in that moment,” Douwes noted. “And the team around them really supported those guys as well.”
It’s no secret this year’s team is different than before. You can notice those who aren’t there anymore from last year’s OUA champion and national bronze medal team. You can notice those who didn’t play against Western as they lost on Jan. 12 before winning in four sets on Jan. 13 – regular starting middles Haben Yohannes and Tyler Pavelic.
You can notice those young players taking the court. There was Paterson and Jarrett. There was middles Jared Kuiken and Jack Mackley. There was setters Peter Pilling and Jason Heidbuurt.
They were there in the first match against Western – a see-saw affair that went the distance. McMaster battled back to force a fifth set but lost 15-12 once they reached there.
Yes, Douwes knows they’re being thrown into the middle of the action a bit sooner than he’d like them to be…but it’s out of necessity.
Yes, Douwes knows the moments can be overwhelming for them. They’re valuable as well. Just think about how valuable they’ll be in hindsight.
Knowing all that, Douwes tells them to not overthink it too much. Play our game – and try to have fun doing so, he tells them. That includes the fifth set as well.
Mills knows what it’s like being in those shoes as a first year. He knows how it’s the biggest year of growth for many. He knows how it can take a while to settle in and find your confidence. He knows the pressure they feel.
Eventually, it takes getting reps and experience to get better and more confident. For this year’s rookies, that means games this season. Games like last weekend.
“There’s no experience quite like playing,” Mills said.
What an experience it was for Paterson, Jarrett and all those involved. Jarrett felt the panic when Gratton and Mills went out. However, he also knew he had to get warmed up quickly.
In his mind, he tried to stay level. Don’t overthink the simple things, he thought. He knew what he wanted to do. As the game went along, he felt himself getting settled more and more. “Everything fell into place and made some plays,” he said.
Jarrett’s been working on not overthinking. It’s a weakness of his as he’s still gaining more and more experience with university volleyball.
He works on that in practice. He works on being ready to go for games by putting in the time in practice. That means putting in the time for recovery work as well.
Paterson also leaned on his preparation as the game got close. His teammates did as well. They’ve been in these situations before and relied on that experience.
What did this experience show everyone? The team aspect stands out. “We learned how to compete as a team a lot more,” Paterson said.
This was an opportunity for others to step up – which they did. “These other guys can play the same role and do the same thing and really help this team as the other guys,” Paterson added. They all contributed.
That’s something Douwes also took from it all. They can win with their depth. With a variety of individuals on the floor in different roles. With believing in each other. That belief builds over time with games like these.
“I think we also learned that the future is bright,” Douwes noted. “There’s a bunch of young guys who can play this game at a really high level.”
Those players were seeing major minutes in major situations. It’s not typical for first-year players, according to the head coach. In the moment, it’s fun. In the long run, it’s a big part of their development.
There’s that word: Fun. Those involved felt that fun and enjoyment. They celebrated the points and eventually the win in front of the cheering crowd at the Burridge Gym.
Douwes loves the battles and the preparation that goes into it. The ultimate team game, he calls volleyball. Feel how enjoyable it is when you prepare, you focus and work together. “There’s not a lot of better feelings,” he said.
Jarrett called it a blast. He saw how excited his teammates were for him. He knew all the work they’ve put in. That feeling? “It’s awesome,” he said.
Paterson felt the excitement as well. He learned a lot about himself and his teammates. He felt the excitement of the situation. Seeing them losing some key players and having to respond. Seeing he and his teammates do so.
He soaked it in. Paterson took in the noise and cheering from the crowd. Take in the roar after the game-winning point as the Marauders ran onto the court in a celebratory huddle.
“A surreal feeling,” Paterson called it.
Featured Image: Kevin Lassel/McMaster Athletics