NO. 6 BLUES EDGED BY MUSTANGS IN CLOSE GAME

The No. 6 nationally-ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team fell to the Western Mustangs 1-3 (25-16, 23-25, 23-25, 19-25) on Sunday (Jan. 29) afternoon at the Alumni Hall in London, Ont.
 
TORONTO STATS: The Blues’ fourth-year left side Evan Falardeau led the Blues this afternoon with 16.5 points, including 14 kills, one service ace and one solo block. 
 
Outside hitter Mitchell Neuert added 13 points for the Blues, with 11 kills, six digs, and two service aces. Third-year middle blocker Hayden Cavender followed with 12.5 points on the game. He added nine kills, three solo blocks, and two digs.
 
Rookie setter Michael Hickey set up the Blues this afternoon with 41 assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: After the previous night’s loss, the Blues started off the first set with high energy, taking the first set from the Mustangs 25-16.
 
The second set was started off by the Blues with a kill from Neuert. With several rallies back and forth throughout the set, the Mustangs and Blues remained close to one another in points for the duration of the set, but the Mustangs ended up taking the set 25-23.
 
The next set followed in a similar fashion with the two teams rallying against one another. The Blues went on a scoring run midway through the set which helped them to stay close to Western, but would ultimately fall short 25-23. 

The fourth set was the Blues’ chance to extend the game to a fifth set. It began in the Blues favour as they scored the first two points of the set. The Blues remained in the lead in the final set until the halfway point. Despite kills from Falardeau and Cavender, the Blues were ultimately bested by the Mustangs 19-25, winning the game 3-1.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues return to action Friday, February 3 at home at the Goldring Centre Kimel Family Field House vs. the Guelph Gryphons. First serve is set for 8:00 p.m.
 
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