TORONTO – The TMU Bold women’s volleyball team made their 2024 home debut on Friday night, looking to start a doubleheader weekend with a win.
In addition to the team’s first home game of the year, Julie Gordon made her home debut with the Bold as well. Over the winter break, one conversation led to another with the coaching staff which led to a new partnership with the Bold.
“There are so many factors that need to be considered; people’s feelings, team dynamics, and the logistics of it all,” said Gordon.
The Bold headed into the first set looking to shut down the Lakers, and Lauren Veltman opened the scoring with the first kill.
The Lakers managed to push through and secure the lead, but the Bold were right on their tail.
In the first set, the Bold fell behind due to a few block and attack errors, and head coach Dustin Reid hoped his team would play a bit less tentatively and with more fear in the second.
“I think our opponent showed up to play [early], they were prepared and we weren’t,” said Reid.
Both teams went back and forth in points, but after a few Lakers serve errors and a kill from Veltman, the Bold took the lead.
Mary Rioflordio put everything on the line for digs to keep the play going, record 11 in total on the night.
The Bold needed two points to take the first set and a service ace from Gordon ended the intense set with a score of 30-28.
The second set was thrilling for the Bold, coming off an exhilarating set, they wanted to bring the same energy for the rest of the game.
Mikayla Sherriffs racked up a total of nine kills throughout the game, helping the Bold on the scoreboard, followed by Scarlett Gingera with eight. Despite her success, Gingera felt more can be done in the team’s second game of the week.
“I want to be better tomorrow, I don’t think that was my best performance,” said Gingera.
The Lakers kept their pace in the second but were always trailing the Bold, whose attacks were just too strong for the Lakers to block.
The Bold relied on big digs and kills to keep the gap between them and the Lakers.
With one more point to go for the Bold to make it a 2-0 game, Gordon did it again, closing the set and sending the Bold to the third.
“To be able to spin serve on set point is just something you have to feel okay with doing it and it comes with experience,” said Gordon about getting both final points in the opening sets.
Into the third, the Bold started slowly behind the Lakers but managed to regain their confidence and ability to play like the first two sets.
Sarah Zonneveld played an exceptional game, racking up the most assists of the game with 39.
The third set was tight with both teams exchanging points, and that meant the Bold had some work to do.
Ashley Ditchfield supported the Bold with quick blocks and kills, leading up to a final score of 25-20.
The Bold swept their first win this weekend and will be back at the MAC on Saturday at 4 p.m. to face the Lakers once again.
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