Bold women’s volleyball seek redemption and return to royalty

TORONTO – After a disappointing 2021-22 season, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s volleyball team looks to turn a new leaf and become a feared contender across the OUA.  

The Bold were women’s volleyball royalty for a couple of seasons before COVID-19 as they made the U SPORTS final in back-to-back years, with a championship win in 2018. However, last season wasn’t as glorious as previous years. With a young roster, TMU finished with a 3-10 record and was sixth in the OUA East division. 

Despite the frustrating year, positivity remains in their locker room and the confidence is high.

“We’re really excited. All the girls are itching to get on the court and play a game,” said veteran Bold setter, Alicia Lam. “We have really high expectations. We’ve been working really hard on-and-off the court.” 

“The vibes are definitely really positive. We have a lot of new people, but I think everyone is gelling really well,” said veteran Bold player, Katelyn Grasman. 

This season, the Bold have welcomed Julie Moore, Bethany Smith, and Maya Griffith, three experienced players who are transferring from other schools across the country. Moore, Smith and Griffith are expected to help foster the young squad alongside returning veterans in Lam and Grasman. 

“The hunger they’ve shown to have a better season has been really contagious,” said Bold head coach Dustin Reid on Lam and Grasman. “That has also helped our new experienced players realize that they’re coming into a professional group.” 

Although they were not able to achieve the results they wanted last season, the roster used the experience to learn lessons coming into the new year. 

“We just did a really good job of sticking together as a team,” said Grasman. “We all had each other’s backs, which I think will help us this year because we made some good relationships and bonds from that.”

“Something really worked on last year was no matter what the end result was, we stay together and encourage each other,” said Lam.  

The squad’s young core continues to grow this season as they welcomed first-year middle, Elise Pridmore, to the program to play alongside other developing players. One of those is Mary Rioflorido — a second-year libero who earned honours last season by being named to the OUA East All-Rookie Team. The Markham, Ont. product averaged 3.56 digs per set last season, which ranked fifth in the conference.  

However, Rioflorido was not the only Bold player to earn OUA honours last season. Middle Ashley Ditchfield was named an OUA East Second-Team All-Star in only her second year competing with the team. Now, in her third season, she is expected to be a key component for the Bold if they want success. 

Meanwhile, other crucial returning figures for the Bold include Adyson Wilson, Zoe Kuck, Jia Lonardi and Jyoti Ruparell. They are looking to continue their development within the program and blossom throughout this season. 

“Players who are returning from last year had a full spring and summer where they can really train and improve,” said Reid. “That is something we haven’t had over the past couple of years, so I think that is really encouraging.”   

Nonetheless, this season is a new chapter in the book for Bold women’s volleyball. Although they haven’t played many exhibition games, they showed improvement against U SPORTS competition at the Queen’s Invitational Tournament in late September and early October.  

The Bold had a 2-1 record in the tournament, with 3-0 wins over the Nipissing Lakers and Queen’s Gaels and a close 3-2 loss against the reigning RSEQ champions McGill Martlets.  

“A lot of teams don’t know where we’re at as a team because we haven’t done a lot of exhibition, so I think that is something we can use to our advantage,” said Lam. 

Throughout the Bold’s training camp Reid decided to move players to different positions and roles to find the best dynamic on the court. One of the players who is changing positions is Grasman, who is shifting away from her long-tenured middle spot.  

Last season was meant to be the Komoka, Ont. native’s final with the team, but a last-minute decision in the summer led her to return. 

“For me, this season looks a lot different in a new position,” said Grasman. 

Grasman isn’t the only returning player who thought last year would be their final as Lam had a similar summer as well. The Oakville, Ont. product still had eligibility and couldn’t shake the thought of leaving the team on a bad note. 

“Last year it didn’t end how we wanted it to, so this is one last go as a team to see what we can accomplish this year,” said Lam. 

Despite winning being a priority for the Bold this year, the team has many different goals they want to achieve throughout the season. 

“I want to leave a legacy behind. I want people to remember me as a good leader, a good teammate and a good friend,” said Lam. 

“I want to focus on the relationships I build on the court. When I was reflecting on my decision to return, I obviously missed the volleyball, but it was the relationships that were the biggest thing,” said Grasman. 

Yet, with the many perspectives and fresh faces, the ambition is the same for everyone in the locker room. “I expect us to be a strong team and compete for the top of our league and a championship within our conference,” said Reid.  

The atmosphere within the practice gym has a different feel for the squad this season. The coaching staff and the players can sense the belief in the group from everyone on the roster. With the immense amount of camaraderie, the aspiration for the Bold is clear. 

“We’re excited to paint a new picture as a team,” said Reid.