BLUES FALL TO MUSTANGS IN THRILLING FIVE SET HOME OPENER

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team were defeated by the visiting Western Mustangs in five tight sets on Friday (Nov. 10) evening at the Goldring Centre Kimel Family Field House.
 
Set scores in the match were 25-21, 24-26, 25-17, 20-25, 8-15.
 
The Blues and Mustangs contest showcased the definition of two evenly matched teams. Throughout the five sets, the Blues tallied just two more service aces than the Mustangs (9-7), while the Western had just one more total block than the home side (12-11). Additionally, the Blues defence finished with a total of three more digs than Western (64-61) in the back-and-forth match.
 
Leading the Blues on the night was third-year outside hitter Julia Murmann who recorded a team-high of 18 points from 17 kills and one service ace. She also added 10 digs for the team’s defence. Additionally, outside hitter Giulia Chimilovksi registered 14 kills, one service ace, two block assists, and 13 digs defensively. Also reaching double-digit points for Toronto was outside hitter Olivia Zhu who posted 14 points on the match, tallying 11 kills, two solo blocks, and two block assists, along with 11 digs.
 
The Blues had a trio of setters take to their offence. Robin Melnick finished the night with 26 total assists and one service ace. Meanwhile, setter Jenna Peters added a kill, six assists, and one dig, while first-year setter Anna Arellano recorded eight assists in her first regular season match for the Blues.
 
First-year libero Delaney Watson tallied a team-high of 21 digs throughout the five sets.
 
The Mustangs were led by outside hitter Devin Gerth who registered a game-high 23.5 points from 21 kills, two service aces, and one block assist.
 
Toronto and Western will battle on the court in a rematch tomorrow (Nov. 11) afternoon. First serve for the match is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets for the Blues home game can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while all the action will also be streamed lived via oua.tv.