Hamilton, ON- Maxime Gratton knew the environment he was in. The McMaster Marauders third year outside hitter was playing in the Forsyth Cup finals. He was on home court in front of a packed Burridge Gym. His Marauders men’s volleyball team was facing the Queen’s Gaels for a chance at a third straight OUA title.

He felt the environment and the support. He and his team talked about that. Marauders head coach Brad Douwes told them before the game to stay in the moment and enjoy it. Volleyball – especially when playing in front of all those supporting them – is supposed to be enjoyable. Not stressful.

As the game started, the enjoyment was seen on both sides. The teams traded points. McMaster captured the first set before Queen’s took the next two.

In the timeout before the fourth set, Gratton and the Marauders talked about not taking this environment for granted.

“Understand the support that we’re feeling and really enjoy it,” Gratton said. “It really shifts your perspective on what you have to do here. It’s a lot bigger than volleyball. It’s about the whole community around it.”

Upon hearing those words, McMaster made their adjustments and rallied. Both teams had missed their share of serves throughout the match. McMaster changed their mentality with serving, putting pressure with volume instead of speed, according to Gratton.

“We’re going to five sets,” first-year middle Jared Kuiken heard all his teammates say during the timeout. “We’re going to push back.”

Enjoyment? Kuiken tries to enjoy every game he plays. He realized how massive of a moment he was in though. He knew how hard it was to really soak it in when he was so focused on the doing his job.

Gratton heard how loud the crowd was. He didn’t let it distract him but he felt the support. “It’s unbelievable,” he noted.

Knowing the environment and the changes they had to make, the Marauders rallied to win set four before winning set five as well to capture the Forsyth Cup. By the time the final point came, they could really hear the crowd – on their feet in anticipation of another provincial title.

Gratton stepped up to the service line with his team up 14-12. With his teammates on the bench ready to celebrate. With all eyes on him.

Just put the ball in, he told himself. He knew the Gaels would be nervous receiving the serve. As Gratton served, he didn’t intend to go for an ace but it dropped anyways. He found his teammates mobbing each other in celebration.

“Boom” he recalled. “We just won the championship. It was unexpected but also wonderful.”

We did it, Kuiken thought as he saw Gratton’s ace. We did what we wanted to do. He felt the pride and love for his team.

This team’s goal was set last offseason. They had a new head coach in Douwes, who was replacing long-time head coach Dave Preston. They had to replace several key players. They were bringing in several rookies.

“The guys that came in did a wonderful job, a fantastic job of coming in and still doing their part,” Gratton said.

Throughout the year, they focused on playing as a team. That was one of their biggest challenges, according to Gratton. They knew they had lots of great individual players. How would they gell together?

They worked on it over the weeks and months. They became closer as a group with each passing day, practice and game. They focused on connecting on the court during the play and between plays – locking eyes with each other during each huddle. They shared their experiences on how to stay composed and re-set during the playoffs. They talked about deep breathing.

They were tested by teams, losing four times in the regular season and going to five sets other times. By the time they reached the finals against Queen’s, they leaned on that previous experience, according to Douwes.

The head coach saw their opponents wear them down and erode them to the point where they were beating themselves. They talked about what they needed to do to not reach that point where they were eroding themselves or stressing themselves out.

“We’ve got to be our biggest supporters,” they told each other. They leaned on that when they were down against Queen’s. Douwes saw how they interacted with each other and reacted in their comeback against the Gaels.

Kuiken saw them come together during those tests. Stress? He felt the nerves and excitement leading up to the game. This was his first OUA finals after all.

It’s just another volleyball game, he told himself. Kuiken found himself leaning on his teammates. He found himself settling into the game. He did so because he knew the support around him.

Yeah, this is a huge deal, he would think. But I’ve got seven or eight other guys who I can rely on. Who can help me out. I don’t have to do it all by myself.

When Kuiken thought about that, he found it relieved his stress. He knew his teammates were there for him. He knew they were there to back him up. “A weight lifted off my shoulders,” he called it.

Gratton saw his team come together against Queen’s. He could feel moments during the second and third sets where they separated themselves a bit.

Douwes reminded them not to do that. He reminded them about being grateful for this moment. They talked about understanding that it’s much bigger than themselves. “It just makes you want to do it for the right reasons,” Gratton said.

Not to win the game for himself – but for his team and his community.

Gratton felt and saw that when his team would cheer. How would they react to not just their points but their opponents’.

Are they scattered and not talking after errors? Or are they connecting and supporting each other? Are they taking their points for granted? Or are they enjoying and embracing the moment?

“We have to support,” he said. “Everyone supports each other.”

As they rallied against Queen’s, the Marauders were focused on what they had to do. They were enjoying the moment. They were connecting and supporting each other.

After Gratton’s game-winning ace, they were all together celebrating the Forsyth Cup.

Featured Image: Kevin Lassel/McMaster Athletics