On Saturday, November 30, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team clashed with the Queen’s Gaels at the ARC in Kingston, Ontario. The game was a battle of determination and skill, lasting five grueling sets, with set scores of 23-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-23, and 15-13 in favour of Toronto.
The Blues showcased resilience and composure in a tightly contested match. After dropping the opening set 23-25, Toronto bounced back to claim the second 25-22, only to falter in the third with a 17-25 loss. Undeterred, the Blues rallied in the fourth set, narrowly edging out Queen’s 25-23. In the decisive fifth set, Toronto secured victory with a 15-13 finish, bringing their season record to 6-4. The team demonstrated solid teamwork, highlighted by a .231 hitting percentage and an ability to withstand pressure against a strong Queen’s offense.
Individually, Hunter Arulpragasam led Toronto with 12 kills and 15 total points. Jayden Talsma followed closely, contributing 10 kills and 11.5 points. Setter Michael Hickey orchestrated the offense masterfully, recording 32 assists. From the service line, Hunter Arulpragasam delivered two aces, while defensively, Luka Minic stood out with four blocks, including two solos.
Queen’s proved to be formidable opponents, spearheaded by Reed Venning, who amassed 21 kills and 25 points. Zig Licis also impressed with 19 kills and a .227 hitting percentage. Setter Chris Zimmerman was a standout performer for the Gaels, tallying 57 assists and facilitating a balanced offensive effort. Despite their efforts, the Gaels fell to 9-3 on the season.
The Blues finish 2024 on a winning note and will look to continue their good form after the winter break. U of T will host the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades in an exhibition meeting on Monday, December 30 at 3:30 p.m. Regular-season OUA play resumes on Friday, January 17, when the Blues visit the York Lions. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m., and the game can be streamed via oua.tv.
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