“I wanted to soak that one in”: Marauders Capture Bronze in Dave Preston’s Farewell 

Hamilton, ON- As the bronze medal match ended, the realization came for Dave Preston.  He was standing on the sidelines of the Burridge Gym, coaching the team he’d coached since 2002– the McMaster men’s volleyball team. He had been at nationals before but this time was different.  It was his last-ever game as McMaster’s head coach. The team secured a three-set victory over the Alberta … Continue reading “I wanted to soak that one in”: Marauders Capture Bronze in Dave Preston’s Farewell 

“We’re standing on the shoulders of Giants”: This year’s Spartans write their own history with Semi-Final win  

Hamilton, ON- Before the Trinity Western Spartans’ national semi-finals against the McMaster Marauders, senior Jesse Elser shared a story.  It was 2018, the same scenario his team was facing now: McMaster vs Trinity Western in the men’s volleyball semi-finals at McMaster. Elser remembers his team trailing in the first set. As a first-year back then, remembers the encompassing and scary environment.  The Spartans would win that … Continue reading “We’re standing on the shoulders of Giants”: This year’s Spartans write their own history with Semi-Final win  

“The Top of the Top”: How higher-ranked teams advanced in Men’s Volleyball Quarterfinals

Hamilton, ON- As quarterfinal action started and concluded at the U SPORTS men’s volleyball nationals, it would be a day for the higher-ranked seeds.  The three conference champions – the Alberta Golden Bears, McMaster Marauders, Sherbrooke Vert et Or – and the Canada West runner up Trinity Western Spartans all advanced to the semi-finals. Some games were tighter than others but none went five sets.  A … Continue reading “The Top of the Top”: How higher-ranked teams advanced in Men’s Volleyball Quarterfinals

“You have complete trust in them”: Full McMaster squad back as Marauders reach Forsyth Finals 

Hamilton, ON- When the OUA playoffs comes around, it’s survive and move on season. That’s what McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball head coach Dave Preston calls it. The Marauders did just that, defeating the York Lions on Mar. 4 in three sets to advance to the Forsyth Cup finals.  The start of the game looked the opposite though as McMaster fell behind 5-0. Once it became 6-2, … Continue reading “You have complete trust in them”: Full McMaster squad back as Marauders reach Forsyth Finals 

“We bent but we didn’t break”: McMaster closes out Guelph in playoff nail-biter

Hamilton, ON- Was this the moment everything would change? Things had been going well for the McMaster Marauders women’s basketball team up until then – or at least as well as you could hope for in a tough playoff game. A nail-biter, as playoff games usually are, Marauders head coach Theresa Burns called it. The Marauders and Guelph Gryphons were in a tight battle throughout the first … Continue reading “We bent but we didn’t break”: McMaster closes out Guelph in playoff nail-biter

The Making of Amy Stinson 

Hamilton, ON – When Keith Stinson texts his daughter Amy after one of her basketball games, he keeps it short and simple. Great game, he’ll say. He doesn’t go into detail about anything else – unless she wants to. His daughter Amy is a third-year forward on the McMaster Marauders women’s basketball team. A member of the OUA All-Rookie Team. Before that, she was a standout player … Continue reading The Making of Amy Stinson 

“Tu l’a”: McMaster’s Christine Hachokake reaches her Zen point

Toronto, ON- When Christine Hachokake is in a game, she tells herself two words in French: “Tu l’a”. You have it. It’s what her mom always tells her when she’s playing volleyball. The McMaster Marauders first-year middle tells herself that as well. It helps gives her confidence. When she tells herself You have it, it brings her to a Zen.  “It makes me think that I’m unstoppable,” Hachokake said. … Continue reading “Tu l’a”: McMaster’s Christine Hachokake reaches her Zen point

“It felt real then”: Pietra Kamstra celebrates McMaster career on emotional seniors night 

Hamilton, ON- When the starting lineups were announced, Pietra Kamstra heard her name called for the first time in her McMaster Marauders career.  It was the fourth-year forward’s final regular season game. It was seniors night. The game itself concluded with a 94-73 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues on Feb. 18. The ceremonies before and afterwards though… “It’s been a pretty special day,” Marauders head … Continue reading “It felt real then”: Pietra Kamstra celebrates McMaster career on emotional seniors night 

“It’s been a great journey”: McMaster’s Fifth-Years leave their mark and enjoy Seniors Night together 

Hamilton, ON- The game was over and the victory in hand. However, for McMaster men’s basketball seniors Sefa Otchere, Brandon Bernard and Tristan Lindo, their seniors’ night wasn’t quite over yet.  The three of them were surrounded by friends and family – with teammates as well. They were taking pictures with and without their framed McMaster jerseys, including one giant group photo. Perhaps they were soaking … Continue reading “It’s been a great journey”: McMaster’s Fifth-Years leave their mark and enjoy Seniors Night together 

McMaster Volleyball drops final games while managing rotation as playoffs loom 

Toronto, ON- Brendan Mills is in his second season with the McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team. He and the Marauders have had their share of highs. Winning the OUA title in 2021-22 for instance.  Now, Mills experienced first regular season loss. The McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team came into their final two games of the OUA regular season with an undefeated record but it wasn’t to … Continue reading McMaster Volleyball drops final games while managing rotation as playoffs loom