THUNDER BAY, Ont – The TMU women’s volleyball team has a winning streak. Winners of three straight entering today’s contest, the Bold beat the Lakehead University Thunderwolves in three sets (25-20, 25-23, 25-16) on Friday night. The win moves TMU to 6-3 on the season, good for sixth place in the OUA.
The first set was evenly-split early on, with neither team able to open a significant early advantage. The Bold were bolstered by an Ashley Ditchfield ace in a strong service game, which helped open a 12-7 lead before a Lakehead timeout. TMU continued their impressive run out of the break, building a 16-7 lead with nine straight points. The Bold would ultimately close out the set with an impressive hitting display, capped with an impressive block by a front row that had a major impact all night.
The second set saw the Bold continue their attacking display, as they jumped out to a quick 9-5 lead. The Bold were aided by Lakehead miscues, which they capitalized on through strong play at the net by Lauren Veltman and Scarlett Gingera. The lead would swell to six before a resilient Lakehead squad brought the score to 15-13. The Thunderwolves would eventually draw level at nineteen before a Bold timeout. Coming out of the break the teams would continue to trade points culminating in a 23-23 tie. A Julie Gordon attack would give TMU a set point however, which they would close out on a Lakehead misplayed ball.
In the third set the Bold once again found themselves with an early lead. The Bold grew their lead through strong play around the net, a recurring theme throughout the match. A trio of Veltman blocks helped win TMU’s fourteenth point of the set, and gave the Bold a 14-8 lead. The Bold would face little opposition in finishing the contest after a Lakehead timeout as they coasted to a 25-18 set win.
The Bold face Lakehead tomorrow night in a rematch looking to extend their win streak to five, and continue to climb in the OUA standings.