Lancup shines but volleyball Martlets fall to UQAM in four sets

MONTREAL — Sophomore outside hitter Sophie Lancup led McGill with a match-high 16 points, but it was not enough as the Martlets dropped a 3-1 decision to the UQAM Citadins in RSEQ women's volleyball, Friday, at the Centre Sportif de l'UQAM. Set scores were 25-20, 23-25, 25-17 and 25-22.

McGill totaled 40 kills, eight aces, seven solo blocks and 65 digs, but struggled to find consistency offensively, finishing with a .115 team hitting percentage. UQAM countered with 51 kills on a .192 efficiency, along with nine aces, eight total blocks and 80 digs.

The win improved third-place UQAM to 8-3 in conference play, while McGill slipped to 3-8 and remained sixth in the eight-team Quebec league. The Martlets now sit four victories back of the fourth and final playoff spot with 10 regular-season matches remaining.

Lancup, a freshman outside hitter from Montreal, delivered 13 kills, two assisted stuff blocks and a .333 hitting efficiency to pace McGill. Senior setter Selima Guidara of Laval, Que., recorded 30 assists and finished with nine points, while sophomore outside hitter Emma Waskiewicz of Calgary, Alta., chipped in 10 points on nine kills and a block.

Four Citadins reached double figures in scoring, led by Mia Abellard with 13 points. Juliette Gosselin and Jade Genereux each added 12, while Erlande Dacilia contributed 11 in a balanced UQAM attack.

UQAM will look to continue its momentum Saturday when it hosts eighth-place UQAC (0-13). McGill is idle until Jan. 18, when the Martlets visit conference-leading Sherbrooke (11-1).