Digging for success

By: Griffin Marsh

A strong start shows positive signs for the upcoming season of Marauder men’s volleyball.

The University Sports volleyball season is long and gruelling; 17 regular season games followed by half a dozen elimination games during postseason play.

With their eyes fixed on a national championship, the Marauders have kicked off their season with a 3-0 start.

Getting this season off to a good start was an important first step for this team, especially coming off a frustrating end to last season and an up-and-down preseason. The nerves, excitement, and effort were tested in the first set against the Guelph Gryphons on Nov. 28, where the Marauders battled out a 27-25 victory.

“What was more impressive was we were able to execute down the stretch at that emotional level,” head coach Dave Preston said. “Once we got used to playing at that emotional level, we started to roll, and the next two sets took care of themselves.”

Not only did they beat the Gryphons, but they have yet to lose a set this season, dispatching Trent and York with ease. To Preston, though, the results are not the focus right now.

“We are really focused on our serving, our passing, and our defence, and I’m much more pleased with that than I am about the three wins,” he said. “This Marauder team wants to win, but most importantly they want to grow and build off of each game so that each win becomes cleaner, stronger, and more confident.”

When asked who has stood out on the court thus far, Preston praised the play of flexible setter Andrew Richards, veteran hitter Jayson McCarthy, and Brandon Koppers.

“[He] is positioning himself as one of the premier hitters in the country,” Preston said of Koppers.

These are the veterans and leaders of this team, so it should be encouraging for everyone involved that these players are leading by example. Another positive sign for the Marauders is the play of their two liberos, Pawel Jedrzejewski and Jordan Pereira.

McMaster has changed its use of the libero this season, adopting a new U Sports rule change that allows for two liberos to interchange between points without a substitution. Some teams have not elected for this strategy, fearing that it would break up the rhythm and momentum of the players. In contrast, the Marauders have used the rule change to great success, and the credit goes to the personnel in play.

“We are in the good fortune of having three amazing liberos, so I think [with] Pawel and Jordan attaching themselves to it right now, we are using both of their strengths,” said Preston.

For Pereira, a freshman just beginning his Marauder career, this is a wonderful opportunity.

“I’ve learned a lot playing alongside Pawel. He has been a great mentor to me and I try to learn as much as I can from him to improve my own game,” said Pereira.

The results and performances have lined up thus far for the Marauders, but there is still a lot of regular season play left. McMaster has three games before the winter break, with the goal of approaching each game one at a time.

It is early, but the current attitude and results point towards an exciting year of Marauder volleyball.