MONTREAL -- Claire Vercheval registered a game-high 24.5 points as visiting McGill rallied for a critical 3-1 victory over the Citadins at the Centre Sportif UQAM, Sunday. After dropping the first set 25-21, McGill methodically stormed back to sweep the next three by scores of 28-26, 25-10 and 25-17.

The win kept McGill's playoff hopes alive as the fifth-place Martlets improved to 7-9, one win shy of fourth-place Sherbrooke (8-7), which has a game in hand. McGill must finish their 20-game schedule with one win more than the Vert & Or, who hold the head-to-head tie-breaker.

The game was very close on a statistical front, with McGill having an edge in stuff blocks (14-7) and assists (43-41), while UQAM had the upper-hand in kills (45-43) and digs (68-64). Both teams registered six service aces.

"It was a great team effort," said head coach Rachele Beliveau. "When we play with confidence, we are a different team. Despite losing the first set today, we remained focused and gained confidence as the game progressed. We have the ability (to play with any team) but sometimes we think too much and begin to (self-doubt) when we just need to play volleyball and that is what happened today."

Vercheval, a 6-foot-1 power-hitter from Ste. Julie, Que., racked up 20 kills along with four aces and an assisted block. The 23-year-old physical education senior also contributed 10 digs on defence.

The Martlets also had good offensive production from Myriam Robitaille (13.5 pts) of Terrebonne, Que., Elisabeth Perrault (9.5) of Laval, Que., and Charlene Robitaille (9) of St. Jean, Que.

Spearheading the defence was freshman setter Audrey Trottier of Longueuil, Que., with a game-high 36 assists and seven digs. Team captain Rowan Fletcher of Ottawa added a game-high 11 digs, four kills, 1.5 blocks and one assist.

Three members of the Citadins reached double digits in scoring, led by Frederique Nicole, who tallied 17 points. Marina Ajavon had 13.5 and Sabrina Mayer added 10.5

The Martlets still have an uphill challenge ahead with a home game against division-leading Montreal (11-3) on Feb.2, followed by three road games: at Laval (Feb. 7) Montreal (Feb. 8) and Sherbrooke (Feb. 14).

In order to qualify for the post-season, McGill (7-9) must surpass the Vert & Or (8-7), whose magic number to clinch is three. Sherbrooke's remaining schedule includes a home game against Montreal (Jan. 31), road games at Laval and Ottawa, followed by home games against McGill and Laval.

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