Niko Rukavina

Men’s Volleyball

Outside hitter Niko Rukavina played all three sets in the men’s volleyball game against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues this past weekend and set career records for kills and hitting percentage. Rukavina had 18 kills and a 69.6 hitting percentage after committing only two errors.

“Our goal this year was to treat every team as though they were the best,” Rukavina said. “[University of Toronto] didn’t have a winning record but we tried to go out there and treat them like any other team. We went out and got a 3-0 victory.”

The only problem with their game was when the Gaels allowed the Blues back in the game, finally winning the final set 29-27.

“We should’ve kept the pedal to the ground,” he said.

Rukavina played hockey from age four until he was in grade 12, when a local volleyball coach asked him to try out for the club team.

“I really liked it and I’ve pretty much just concentrated on it since,” he said.

He attributes his success to excellent chemistry that has developed with his teammates, some of whom he’s been playing with since their first year at Queen’s.

Their motivation is extremely clear.

“No one likes to lose … and it’s a joy playing a game you love with some of your best friends,” he said.

The men’s volleyball team is hosting the CIS Championship next year and the team wants to medal.

“This same group of guys, everyone has the same goal in mind,” he said. “We’re all working towards it.”

— Andrew Stokes

Lorna Button

Women’s Volleyball

After a rough weekend on the road, the women’s volleyball team came home to face the Toronto Varsity Blues at the ARC Friday night. The Gaels won in straight sets to secure their sixth victory in a row at home.

Fourth-year outside hitter Lorna Button was the Gaels’ top player, recording 11 kills in the match.

“The game against [Toronto] was great,” she said. “It was at home … We just played really well. Everyone contributed. Then on Sunday we played RMC away and it wasn’t as good of a game … We just couldn’t come together as a team and play as well as we did Saturday.”

The Gaels travelled across town to face the 6-9 RMC Paladins where Queen’s had a disappointing game, losing 3-1.

“They played really well and I think we could have prepared better for that game,” she said. “We play really well at home. We always do. We just really need to work on our away game because we’re not as successful away.”

The Gaels have lost three of their four games on the road. Button said the Gaels lose their pregame routine and their fan support at away games, which could be factors in their losses.

“We can always keep it the same at home,” she said. “It’s just what we’re used to. So when we stray from that, it causes a problem.”

Despite the loss, Button had 10 kills and 22 digs.

The women’s volleyball team is back on the road this weekend in Toronto where they will face the Ryerson Rams on Saturday and the York Lions on Sunday.

— Kate Bascom