parpho@rogers.com


KINGSTON, Ont. (February 17, 2018) - The Queen's Gaels (12-6) dropped a 3-1 decision to the undefeated No.6 Ryerson Rams (17-0) on Saturday night in their final home match of the season.

The Gaels are now locked into third place in the OUA East division and will meet the Western Mustangs in London for their quarter-final playoff in two weeks time.

Before the start of the match, the Gaels honoured their graduating senior Shannon Neville #6 (Cambridge, Ont.) who entered the night third in kills in the OUA.

GAME FLOW
The Gaels were able to open up an early 6-2 lead in the set picking up a kill from Makayla Keith (Calgary) followed shortly by an ace from Danielle Corrigan (North Vancouver, B.C.). Ryerson was able to respond to the Gaels while picking up nine of 10 points to open up an 18-12 lead. Errors committed by Queen's late in the set gave the Rams enough to close it out 25-19 for a 1-0 lead in the match.

The second set saw Ryerson jump out to a 7-3 lead on Queen's but the Gaels were able to take four of the next five which included a kill from Neville. Two teams went toe-to-toe the rest of the way before Queen's finally was able to pull out in front. Once again is was the Gaels captain and graduating senior Neville who put down the winning kill of the set 25-22.

Queen's carried that momentum into the third set opening up a 3-0 lead. Ryerson responded and like the opening sets the match went back-and-forth with each side trading points. With the Rams up two 19-17, it was Janelle Albert for Ryerson who broke through with three straight kills. Lauren Veltman then closed out the set with another kill 25-23, halting the Gaels comeback attempt aided by a pair of Keith aces.

Queen's got off to another strong start in set four, opening up a 6-3 lead on the Rams. Ryerson battled back from being down 11-8 to take eight of the next 10 points and take a 16-13 lead aided by a pair of Albert kills. The Gaels were able to get to within three at 22-19 after a block from Olivia Van Baaren (Ottawa), but an ace from Veltman and a final kill by Albert sealed the set 25-20 and the match 3-1 for Ryerson.

BY THE NUMBERS
17 - Kills for Neville in her final home match
3rd - In the OUA East for the Gaels this year heading into playoffs
4 - Blocks for Wiercigroch
22.5 - Points for Rams Veltman