Men’s volleyball drops pair on opening weekend

The Gaels opened their season on the wrong foot, losing both of their matches this weekend.

Queen’s saw a comeback bid against the Windsor Lancers fall short in the season’s first match Friday night, before losing to the Western Mustangs in straight sets on Saturday.

Against the Lancers (2-1), the Gaels (0-2) dropped the opening two sets 25-22 and 26-24, respectively, before rallying to force the fifth and deciding set. They took the third set 25-18 and held off the Lancers in a tight fourth set 27-25.

Queen’s couldn’t complete the attempt, though. Windsor held on to win the final set 15-10, spoiling the Gaels’ opener.

Outside hitter Mike Tomlinson shined in the match, tallying 22 kills to go along with 3.5 blocks and a pair of aces. Libero Ivo Dramov racked up 14 digs for the Gaels.

Mistakes kept Queen’s on the wrong side of the scoreboard on Saturday against Western (3-0). The team committed 11 errors in the match, including six in the opening set.

The Gaels couldn’t get any momentum going, losing 25-18, 25-23 and 25-23 to fall in three sets. Tomlinson once again led all Gaels in kills, putting up 11, while Dramov added 12 digs.

The Gaels are back in action this weekend when they head on the road to take on the Ryerson Rams (1-1) on Friday and the Toronto Varsity Blues (0-1) on Saturday.

— Sean Sutherland

Gaels open year with wins over OUA West foes

New women’s volleyball coach Michael Ling didn’t have to wait long for his first victory at the helm of the program.

The Gaels (2-0) captured a pair of victories at home last weekend, sweeping the Windsor Lancers (1-3) on Friday before battling for a five-set win over the visiting Western Mustangs (1-2) on Saturday.

Outside hitter Shannon Neville was a key in the Windsor match, recording 12 kills. Sisters Brett and Katie Hagarty both added eight kills, while libero Becky Wilson notched 20 digs on the way to a 25-20, 26-24 and 25-17 three-set victory.

The Gaels faced a tougher test in the Mustangs as they swapped sets in the match, winning the first, third and fifth frames.

Third-year Niki Slikboer proved the difference in the opening period, recording a set-winning block. She gave an encore performance in the third set, once again ending it with a block.

Neville and Brett Hagarty stood out, both recording double-digit tallies in digs and kills. Wilson tied for the team-lead with 19 digs in the match.

Queen’s heads out on the road to face OUA East competition for the first time this season when they take on the Ryerson Rams (2-0) on Friday and Toronto Varsity Blues (2-0) on Saturday.

Toronto was the OUA East’s top team last season, while Ryerson also reached the playoffs.

— Sean Sutherland