It wouldn't be a stretch – not even a little bit – to say the Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball team could be 4-1 through their first five matches of the OUA season.

Aside from a loss at McMaster, the Lakers have played some great volleyball, winning twice and falling twice in five set thrillers.

Even in the loss to McMaster, the country's top team, Nipissing competed hard.

Friday night, the Lakers and Queens Gaels went toe-to-toe in a heavyweight battle, with the Gaels escaping North Bay with a 3-2 win, including an 18-16 fifth set triumph.

The teams literally went shot for shot with Nipissing winning 25-23 to kick the match off.

Queens won the second and third – 25-15 and 25-19 – before the Lakers responded with a gutsy win to extend the match.

With the teams tied late in the fourth set, Nipissing got some great defence and big blocks as they pulled away and came up with the win to send the match to a fifth and deciding set.

While the first four sets were extremely well played, the fifth set took the match to another level as the teams had the crowd on their feet.

Nipissing grabbed an early lead, Queens fought back to grab an 11-9 lead.

After some great rallies, big swings and huge digs, the score was 14-13 Nipissing.

The Lakers had match points, but couldn't put the Gaels away and found themselves still in a good spot, but the Gaels turned it up late, grabbed a 17-16 lead before putting the game and match away with an 18-16 win.

Cam Branch had a monster game, picking up 23 kills, while Lyndon Sonego added 14 and Warren Taylor chipped in with nine.

While they don't need to change the way they're playing, the Lakers will look to get back on track and back in the win column Saturday when they host the RMC Paladins.

Game time is set for 8 p.m. at the RJS Athletic Centre.