“A Surreal Feeling”: McMaster’s depth and youth put to the test

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 … Continue reading “A Surreal Feeling”: McMaster’s depth and youth put to the test

Emma McKinnon revamped with health, work and mojo

Hamilton, ON- As the McMaster Marauders women’s volleyball team took the court against the Western Mustangs on Dec. 12, Emma McKinnon heard what her teammates and coaches were discussing.  They talked about playing with more urgency and having a no mercy attitude – especially as they built their lead. “Not really letting them coming back in at all,” McKinnon said. What did that mean for the … Continue reading Emma McKinnon revamped with health, work and mojo

“Playing for each other”: McMaster comes together in new year  

Hamilton, ON- As the McMaster Marauders women’s volleyball team embarked upon Edmonton in late December, Nathan Janzen wondered how the trip would affect their regular season.  The Marauders’ head coach could feel he and everyone else being torn away from their families as they sat in the airport on December 27 awaiting their flight westward. “You don’t want to get on a plane,” Janzen recalled. “You … Continue reading “Playing for each other”: McMaster comes together in new year  

Maddy Lutes realizes the big picture 

Hamilton, ON- Before the game starts, Maddy Lutes has already braced herself for what’s about to come. She knows she’ll make mistakes. She knows things will happen that she doesn’t want to.  Lutes is not scared of it though. She knows how to react. She knows how she’ll need to be composed to do so. The McMaster Marauders third-year outside hitter trained for this. Lutes made … Continue reading Maddy Lutes realizes the big picture 

“We’re brothers”: How the Marauders came together in winning run

Hamilton, ON- As their game against the Windsor Lancers come down to the final minutes and then seconds, Moody Qasim sensed it. He sensed the unity and energy among him and his McMaster Marauder teammates. “Deep down, we dived in, took over the game down the stretch,” Qasim said. “Ultimately, that gave us the win.”  The Marauders men’s basketball team pulled out a close win over … Continue reading “We’re brothers”: How the Marauders came together in winning run

“Next Play”: Jenna Button’s freedom from thought in career-high night 

Hamilton, ON- Shot after shot, the points tally continued to build for Jenna Button on the scoreboard. Yet, she didn’t think about it.  The McMaster Marauders guard scored eight points in the first quarter, seven in the second, eight in the third and six in the fourth.  Yet, even as her points continued to climb up and climb, Button didn’t realize how many she had until … Continue reading “Next Play”: Jenna Button’s freedom from thought in career-high night 

OUA West Men’s Basketball Preview: Crowded at the Top 

Hamilton, ON- Several different teams have taken turns winning the OUA West or making deep playoff runs. Last season, it was the Windsor Lancers with U SPORTS MOP Thomas Kennedy. Now, with Kennedy gone, is the conference race wide open again? Algoma Thunderbirds 2022-23 Record: 4-26 (3-19 in OUA regular season)  Preseason Record: 2-5 After Etienne Jacquet and Ryan Vetrie shared coaching duties last season, Vetrie … Continue reading OUA West Men’s Basketball Preview: Crowded at the Top 

OUA West Women’s Basketball Preview: The Race to the Top 

Hamilton, ON- With a new OUA basketball season upon us, it starts in the OUA West with the Windsor Lancers visiting the Western Mustangs on Halloween night. After a tight division race in 2022-23 – with the Waterloo Warriors winning it – the chase is on to see who can capture the division crown this season.  Algoma Thunderbirds 2022-23 Record: 0-29 (0-22 in OUA regular season)  … Continue reading OUA West Women’s Basketball Preview: The Race to the Top