Battle of Toronto in full tilt for men’s volleyball this weekend

TORONTO – Coming off the extended January break, the Rams men’s volleyball team was thrust into action last week in back-to-back five set matchups against the York Lions. 

Though they lost in North York on Friday, they came home on the weekend and delivered a 3-2 win in front of home court fans. However, the young Rams’ surging momentum could meet its match this week against the Toronto Varsity Blues. 

The Blues have won five straight games dating back to November, including a battle in straight sets over the Rams a few months ago. Toronto has dropped just one set in that span in a 3-1 loss against the Queen’s Gaels last week. However, their matchup against the Rams saw each set go down to the wire, as less than three points decided each set. 

Coach Niko Rukavina spoke of his young team’s fatigue just moments after their fifth set victory over York last weekend. 

“We haven’t been able to ramp up as much as we want to because of being off for January. To play two two-and-a-half hour games is tough on the body,” said Rukavina. 

“We’re a young team. A lot of guys on the court don’t have the experience to be in those rallies in these long games,” he added while also stressing the importance of an early week recovery before heading to face Toronto. Rukavina also said the team could use their recent contest with York as a learning experience. 

Among the Rams youngsters is Jacob Walker, who has commandingly collected 92 kills on the season, good enough for third in the entire league. Nicholas Hudson also threw down nine kills last Saturday as the outside hitter returned from a shoulder injury. 

“I’m just getting back into it. (There’s) definitely some mistakes on my end, especially serving,” said Hudson, downplaying his role in the Rams last win. 

“We want to start controlling the game on our side. It’s not just us making less mistakes. We’ve got to control their movements as well.”

Hudson also sounded confident about a potential playoff run, with crucial divisional points on the line this week. 

“We had a tough start to the season. (In) a couple more games here, we’re going to make a nice playoff run.”

First serve goes at 8:00 p.m. in both matches as the Rams subway over to Toronto on Friday and return home on Saturday. Friday’s match will be closed to spectators, while tickets for Saturday’s home game are available here.