Surging Rams begin playoff journey with opener this week

TORONTO – Winning their last three games in straight sets on home court, the young Rams men’s volleyball team will get their first glimpse of playoff competition this week. 

The RMC Paladins visit again on Wednesday as part of a play-in first round. Should the Rams win, they’ll take on the top seeded Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday. 

After falling to the Rams last weekend, RMC has dropped their last four matches. They pushed the Rams to within three points in the first set last Saturday, but ultimately fell in three straight to make it nine consecutive set wins for the blue and gold leading up to Wednesday. 

That said, RMC has had its most successful OUA season-to-date, making the postseason for the first time. Both squads will hit the court excitedly as the Rams will look to double them up. 

Seeing more time in the lineup since February, rookie outside hitter Kai Higuchi has made an impact in the Rams’ winning streak. Last weekend, Higuchi slammed down 13 kills over RMC, beaten only by rising star Jacob Walker. Though Walker missed most of the Rams’ Toronto series last month, he confidently leads the Rams’ attack with 124 kills over the regular season. 

The Rams’ last playoff appearance was back in 2020, when they fell to the Guelph Gryphons on the road. Home fans will be able to catch Wednesday’s playoff matchup against RMC with first serve flying at 8 p.m. Tickets are available here.

Should the Rams advance, they will take on the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday. The young squad would then look to push Toronto as they did in a five-set loss in February, hopefully with a full lineup this time around.