The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team faced off against the Toronto Metropolitan Bold on Saturday, November 23 at Goldring Centre. The game marked another high-energy rivalry match for the Blues in their promising season.
The Blues delivered an outstanding performance, defeating the Bold in straight sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-14). Toronto started strong and maintained control throughout the match with efficient offense and solid defense. After edging out the first set, the Blues gained momentum, capitalizing on errors from the Bold while showcasing consistent teamwork. By the third set, the Blues displayed dominance, finishing with their best attacking efficiency of the match.
Individually, Hunter Arulpragasam led the Blues with 10 kills, complemented by four service aces, earning him a total of 14 points. Jayden Talsma contributed significantly with nine kills and a team-high 12 points. Third-year setter Michael Hickey tallied 26 assists while also adding four points. Defensively, Rylan Armstrong anchored the back row with 12 digs, helping the Blues outshine their opponents in key rallies.
TMU struggled to find their rhythm, finishing with an attack percentage of just .043. Riley Donovan and Kai Higuchi were their top contributors, with Donovan posting seven kills and Higuchi adding six kills and a service ace. However, numerous unforced errors plagued the Bold, preventing them from mounting a serious comeback.
With this being their last home series in 2024, the Blues improve their season record to 5-3 as they continue to solidify their place in the standings, jumping over the Bold, who now sit at 4-4. Their next match promises to test their form as they prepare to face the Queen’s Gaels in Kingston, Ont. on Nov. 29-30. The games can be streamed on oua.tv.
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