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Images from the opening moments of the first set.

Gaels nearly upset No. 10 Warriors in five set heartbreaker
Posted by: Dylan Plain (Sports Information Writer)

1/13/2013 6:23:00 PM
BOX SCORE

KINGSTON, Ont. (January 13, 2013) - The Queen's Gaels men's volleyball team (7-4) was in action Sunday afternoon as they took on the No. 10 Waterloo Warriors (10-1). The Gaels were nearly successful in their upset of the Warriors, leading them two sets to one headed into the fourth. Unfortunately Waterloo was able to battle back capitalizing on Queen's errors and eventually closing out the match 3-2 (28-30, 25-12, 25-22, 15-25, 11-15).

The first set gave a preview of what the game was going to be like, with the Gaels forcing Waterloo into extra points, where the Warriors surpassed the Gaels, 30-28. Gaels outside-hitters Philippe Goyer (Ottawa) and Michael Tomlinson (Stratford, Ont.) were pivotal for the tricolour in the first set—recording three kills each. Jackson Dakin (Courtenay, B.C.) was the offensive mastermind for the Gaels, setting up 14 of the Gaels 28 first set points. Dakin also combined with second-year middle Tyler Scheerhoorn (Belleville, Ont.) for a timely block that helped establish a run for the Gaels in the opening set. The Gaels fifth-year setter finished the match with an impressive 42 assists and 22 digs, many of which were difficult defensive plays to keep the rally alive.

Queen's offense really came to life in the second set, going on long scoring runs that Waterloo could not answer. The Gaels closed out the set on an 8-2 run which was finished out by a Tomlinson kill and an Aaron Nusbaum (Aurora, Ont.) ace.

In the third, the Gaels offensive productivity picked up where it left off, starting the frame on a 7-3 run. The Warriors closed the gap and eventually drew even with Queen's by capitalizing on tricolour attacking errors. A late set surge from Goyer, who recorded three straight kills allowed the Gaels to take a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set—winning the frame 25-22.

The fourth set featured the Warriors fighting to stay alive and avoid the upset. Deadlocked through the first five points, neither team seemed to be able to gain any momentum until the mid-way mark when Waterloo orchestrated a 14-4 run. Gaels errors accompanied by four Zachary Doherty (Goderich, Ont.) kills allowed the Warriors to establish such a large run and force the match into a fifth and deciding set. Doherty was the game leader in kills with 18.

After opening the final set exchanging points, the Waterloo Warriors were eventually able to establish some momentum and go on a 4-1 run. Kills from second-year hitter Brett Walter (Sudbury, Ont.) and Goyer mid-way through the set allowed the Gaels to climb back in the match. Even at 10, Waterloo was again able to marginally pull ahead from Queen's attacking errors and strong play from Doherty. Up 14-10 on the Gaels, the Warriors looked to be in control until Tomlinson was able to serve up a commanding kill for Queens. Unfortunately it was too little too late as Doherty recorded kill number 18 to give Waterloo a 3-2 victory.

Rookie libero Ivo Dramov (Plovdiv, Bulg.) was the Gaels player of the game. He recorded an impressive seven assists and 19 digs.