The Varsity Blues continued their strong start to the 2022-23 OUA season Friday evening at the Goldring Centre. Defeating the York Lions 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-19), the Blues secured their fourth consecutive victory and fifth win in six matches to start the campaign.
HOW IT HAPPENED: After taking an 8-5 lead early in the opening set, the Blues managed to hold at least a three-point lead for much of the set. However, the Lions would not go away quietly as the late stages of the set approached. Despite trailing 22-18, York managed to pull within just one point, at 22-21. Following a Blues time-out, the Lions would miss the ensuing serve. From there, Toronto proceeded to wrap up the opening set with a service ace from Martin Licht and a kill by Evan Falardeau.
The second set of the match saw a similar start to the first, with Toronto again establishing a small lead over the visitors. This time around though, the Blues were able to extend the advantage and create further breathing room. Leading 11-8, Toronto went to score nine of the next 14 points to take a commanding 20-13 edge. Continuing to apply the pressure, the Blues went on to secure the second set 25-18.
Looking to lock down their first sweep of the season, the Blues did exactly that. Following the same formula, Toronto again established control early and managed to carry that momentum through much of the set. Keeping the Lions at bay, Toronto held anywhere from a three to six-point lead throughout after going up 6-3. In the end, it was Falardeau registering the match-winning kill.
Falardeau’s 14 kills led the Blues, while Mitchell Neuert just missed the double-digit mark with nine. Davis Young’s 26 assists tied for the game-high.
UP NEXT: Going for a sixth straight win, the Blues will take on the Waterloo Warriors on November 26. The match is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. from the Goldring Centre.
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