In a nail bitter match-up between the Toronto Varsity Blues, Queen’s Men’s Volleyball emerged victorious in five close sets (23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 26-24,19-17).
Zig Licis (Computer Engineering) had a standout performance for the Gaels, putting up 23points from 20kills and three service aces. Licis also added 16 digs.
“He’s been here before. He wasn’t always the guy that maybe had the limelight in the past, but he’s learned how to get it done in tight moments and big matches. He did a great job tonight,” Head Coach Gabe deGroot remarked.
The Gaels and Blues came into the first set evenly matched. Errors on Queen’s side of the net prevented them from pulling ahead.
“Toronto is a team that doesn’t play super aggressive and they’re never going to go away. They don’t necessarily put up massive offensive numbers and weren’t supper aggressive form the service line and as a result they kind of wear a team like us down,” deGroot reflected.
In the second set, Toronto and Queen’s went point for point, until the Gaels pulled ahead at the ten-point mark. The Blues came back from behind to tie the match up again, but the Gaels came through victorious.
The Gaels trailed Toronto through the third, with the Blues finding gaps in the Gael’s defense and Queen’s struggling to execute on offense.
“We knew that is was going to be a gritty fight and Toronto was just going to keep putting balls on us,” deGroot said.
First year setter, Wyatt Hall (Arts & Science), came into the game with Queen’s down 17-13, and immediately made an impact.
“Wyatt does some interesting things that open up our offense. He’s really good at running the midcourt, as a result it gives a lot of space for our outside hitters. Wyatt is someone who really believes and is bought into that midcourt offense,” deGroot remarked. “Really proud of him. He served well today, he got good block touches and played good defense not just the setting. I think his game is complemented by all the other skills.”
Adding 22 assists and a point, Hall shifted the tides in the Gaels favor.
While the Gaels dropped the third, the momentum shift was evident through the next two sets.
“I came in trusting our team system, trusting our game plan, and trust the guys out there. I had a lot of faith in them, they made me look better,” Hall commented.
A dramatic end to the fourth set saw the Gaels edge out the Blue and stay in the game, forcing a fifth set.
The fifth opened with high tensions, both teams determine to take the win, however the Gaels had the advantage of a home crowd spurring them toward victory. The Gaels came out on top with a big kill from Licis taking the set.
“I was awesome. It was my first time playing in this environment and everyone was into it, the bench was into it. It was super fun,” Hall added.
The Gaels return to the ARC on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 4pm to rematch the Varsity Blues. Tickets are available on the Queen’s ticket website and are free for students.