TORONTO – The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s volleyball team recorded eight blocks at their Block Party, helping seal a 3-1 win over the Trent Excalibur. The Bold now have a three game win streak as they enter the third weekend of the season 3-2.
“We’re falling in to where we want to fall,” Alex King said with a smile. “If that makes any sense.”
After splitting the first 15 points of the first set evenly, the Bold were boosted by a big King block to put them up 9-7. A Jacob Walker service ace extended the Bold lead to 13-8 before long, forecasting the dominant night it would be for the Bold. Both plays were part of a 7-2 run for the Bold, helping them cruise to a 25-21 set victory.
The teams were unable to separate themselves much through the early going of the second set. The Bold committed several unforced errors, namely net violations, that helped keep the Excalibur competitive. The Bold rallied behind a strong King service game to carry a 20-18 lead into the final stretch of the set, but were unable to maintain the momentum, dropping the set 25-23.
Despite dropping the second set the Bold were able to rebound, winning the third 25-16. TMU saw the majority of its success from an impressive .308 hitting percentage early in the set which helped them grab a 14-8 lead. Taylor Wenzel, who recorded his 900th career assist in the contest, played a big role in the Bold grabbing a 2-1 lead with a pair of kills himself.
“He’s just trying to be a captain of offence and deliver the balls to the big hitters,” said head coach Niko Rukavina. “I think he’s done a great job of it”
The Bold jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the fourth, carrying over their momentum from the third. TMU continued its hot hitting display, logging six kills in their first eight points. TMU ended the set, and match, on a 7-4 run winning 25-16, cementing their third victory of the season.
“To get a win in our home gym means a lot for our confidence the rest of the season,” Rukavina added.
The Bold are back in action on Friday night, facing the Excalibur in a rematch. TMU students receive free admission with their one card. Catch all home games on OUA.tv.