The Lancers dropped a 3-1 (17-25, 22-25, 25-18, 23-25) decision in the Forsyth Cup semi-finals against McMaster Saturday afternoon. The Lancers had one of their best performances against McMaster but just couldn't make enough plays, bowing out of the national playoffs.
 
GAME STATS
Windsor was led by Brad Gyemi with 23 kills, while McMaster was paced by Matt Passalent who also had 23 kills.
 
McMaster's David Doty was the best teammate with 52 assists, while Nolan Langley led the Lancers with 47.
 
As a team the Lancers had a good day from the service line with seven aces to the Marauders two.
 
GAME FLOW
The Lancers started the game show and the Marauders got out to an early lead. The blue and gold stayed within striking distance, but every time they came close, the Marauders counter punched with precision. Later in the set McMaster asserted themselves, going into the technical up 16-10. After the technical the Lancers struggled to score on route to a disappointing 25-17 loss, going down 1-0.
 
The blue and gold got out to a great start in the second set, taking an early lead and growing it to as big as five with big performances from Pierce Johnson and Dami Alalade. Unfortunately, McMaster staged a comeback and took a slight two-point lead at the technical. What ensued after the timeout was nothing less than a dog fight with tight rallies, limited opportunities for runs and big serves. When the dust settled it was the Marauders left standing, earning a 25-22 win and taking a two-set lead.
 
The Lancers and Marauders continued their tight battle into the third set, but the Lancers found their stride behind the likes of Roland Bouchard and Brad Gyemi, opening their lead into the technical, 16-11.  Out of the break Windsor was determined to stay alive, evidenced by Gyemi going over the scorer's table to keep the rally alive, and setting up Bouchard for a huge kill. Captain John Moate sealed the deal in the set with a great kill, staving off elimination, 25-18, and forcing a fourth set.
 
The fourth set was neck and neck as Windsor kept their foot on the gas. However, McMaster proved difficult to keep down as the game stayed within one point right into the technical with McMaster holding a slim 16-15 lead. The blue and gold stayed right with the reigning OUA champions through the remainder of the set, but the Marauders remained on the right side of a tight fight, taking the set, 25-23 and winning the match.
 
Windsor will play the Toronto Varsity Blues in the bronze medal game on Sunday, March 10th at 1:00pm. The game can be seen live at www.oua.tv.