(VERSION FRANÇAISE SUIT)

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. — Emma Waskiewicz recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs, but the McGill Martlets dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes in RSEQ women's volleyball action Thursday at Centre CAPS.

Noémie Cauchon scored a match-high 19.5 points for UQTR, which rallied for a 25-21, 16-25, 16-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory, claiming the season series 2-1. McGill, however, maintains a dominant 19-2 lifetime record against the Patriotes since the Trois-Rivières program was founded in 2005.

It was only the second five-set match of the regular season for the Martlets, who defeated ETS 3-2 last Sunday.

McGill (6-14) showed strong offensive balance, placing four players in double figures for points or near that mark. Waskiewicz led the way with 15.5 points, while Sophie Lancup delivered 11 kills for 12.5 points and Isabel Ubeda added 11 kills and 12 points. Justine Veillette was especially efficient, hitting .438 with eight kills on 16 attempts, along with a service ace and an assisted block.

Setter Romane Daigle orchestrated the offence with 36 assists and three service aces, guiding McGill to a .273 team attack percentage. Defensively, the Martlets matched UQTR with 57 digs, including 16 from Waskiewicz and 11 from Sandrine Méthot.

After splitting the opening two sets, McGill seized momentum in the third. The Martlets limited UQTR to a .118 hitting percentage in the frame while producing 18 kills of their own and pulling away late for a 25-16 win. Lancup and Ubeda were particularly effective during the stretch, capitalizing on strong distribution from Daigle.

McGill also demonstrated resilience in the fourth set, overcoming an early deficit to tie the score at 12-12 before UQTR regained control down the stretch.

In the decisive fifth set, the Martlets stayed within striking distance midway through before the Patriotes used a service run to create separation.

Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention and have one regular-season contest remaining.

Sixth-place McGill will close out its campaign at second-place Laval (16-3) on Feb. 14, while UQTR (9-11) — fifth in the eight-team Quebec conference — travels to UQAC on Feb. 15.

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SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca