Hamilton, ON- Ellie Hatashita couldn’t hold back the tears. She cried when her last ever university volleyball game came to an end. The McMaster Marauders fifth-year middle had just ended her career with a win. In front of friends and family at home in the Burridge Gym. Her Marauders women’s volleyball team had just made program history – with a best-ever fifth place finish. As … Continue reading “As One”: McMaster’s Last Dance
Hamilton, ON- Olivia Bell felt the emotions of the moment as she walked off the Burridge Gym court. The fifth-year senior had just finished her university volleyball career at nationals in Hamilton. She did so with her Saint Mary’s Huskies team she’s been with since 2018. With her best friend Megan Bruhm by her side – who she’s been with for years before that. The … Continue reading Firsts and Lasts for Olivia Bell and Megan Bruhm
Hamilton, ON- On the wall of the Manitoba Bisons women’s volleyball team’s locker room is their team philosophy. Fourth-year setter Katreena Bentley and her teammates see it every day they’re in there. They talk about it a lot. They’ve done so since the start of the season. Their philosophy consists of six testaments. Ones they live by every day. “A state secret,” Bentley calls it. … Continue reading “Be an Every Dayer”: Bisons leave it all out to capture bronze
Hamilton, ON- Akash Grewal stepped up to the service line with all eyes on her in the Burridge Gym. With the national championship on the line. The third-year outside hitter is one of the best servers in the country. Her UBC Thunderbirds were tied at 23 with the Alberta Pandas in the fourth set of the finals of the U SPORTS women’s volleyball championship. She … Continue reading Thunderbirds’ National Title a Year in the Making
Hamilton, ON- After all the highs and lows of their victory over the Manitoba Bisons, Abby Guezen still felt lots of adrenaline. How could she not after what just happened? Guezen and her Alberta Pandas had just edged out the Manitoba Bisons in a five-set thriller in the national semi-final on Mar. 16. A game of trading points, fine margins and relentless defence. A game … Continue reading Abby Guezen and the Pandas fight their way to championship finals
Hamilton, ON- From the moment Michelle Wood first stepped foot on Acadia’s campus in Wolfville over a decade ago, she had the belief this was possible. Wood had just come off an OUA bronze medal season as an assistant coach with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. The year before that, she had won an OUA title and the CIS Libero of the Year award … Continue reading Axewomen ride belief onto new heights
Hamilton, ON- When Alberta Pandas middle Allie Moore thought what prepared her team for their nationals quarter-final win over the Montreal Carabins, she thought about her conference. “I think Canada West has the best teams in the country,” Moore said. Her Pandas team has played against the Manitoba Bisons and UBC Thunderbirds multipe times this season. They’ve played in long four or five set matches. … Continue reading Canada West Teams Power through to Women’s Volleyball Semis
Hamilton, ON- As the top U SPORTS women’s volleyball teams descend upon Hamilton for the national championships, we will find out whether the trend of Canada West dominance will continue. The conference that has produced 13 of the past 15 national champions – the only exceptions being Toronto in 2016 and Toronto Metropolitan University in 2018. The conference that usually sends at least three teams … Continue reading Is the West the Best at U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Nationals?
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 … Continue reading McMaster comes together to capture Forsyth Cup
Hamilton, ON- Ben Kerkhoff knew what he had to do to stay composed. He and his McMaster Marauder men’s volleyball teammates and coaches have worked on it all year. Kerkhoff heard them talk about composure throughout the season. About playing clean volleyball. About how they have to focus on the details. So, when their OUA semi-final game against the Guelph Gryphons approached… They executed those … Continue reading McMaster’s Forsyth Cup chase comes into focus
