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The McMaster men’s volleyball team has made it a new year’s tradition to host a tournament featuring some of the best teams in Canada – but they play it in St Petersburg, Florida where they can get a suntan between matches.

This is fifth-year setter Austin Campion-Smith’s last season in maroon. Both he and teammate Jori Mantha have won bronze and silver at the CIS finals, and now…

“We’ve got one goal left and that’s the national championship. Personally that’s why I came back, because I’m very hungry for that and I know Jori is too, so we’re giving it all we got and this is our time.”

Mantha — 2014’s OUA player of the year — was not at this practice. He’s actually missed about half the season after suffering a freak eye injury that left him temporarily blind.

And he’s not the only veteran player who’s hopefully returning this week. Middle Alex Elliott had shoulder surgery in the summer, while outside hitters Stephen Maar and Shayne Herbert are recovering from ankle injuries.

Despite this, the Marauder men have only given-up a single set since their season-opening loss to Western, and they head into the new year riding a nine-game winning streak.

Head coach Dave Preston says their focus is impressive. “The guys have really attached themselves to what’s in front of them. That comes from our leadership.”

At the Alden Cup in St Petersburg, Florida this week, McMaster, currently ranked number 2 in the country, will face some of the other top-ranked Canadian teams. When they’re done, Campion-Smith and the rest can recover by the pool.

“It’s a nice bonus, but we’re there to play volleyball and win some matches.”