The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball team hosted their 2008-09 regular season home opener on Friday, October 31, falling 3-1 to the Queen’s Gaels at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

Toronto started off strong, coming from behind to win the first set 25-20. After narrowly winning the second, the Gaels took charge to take the remaining two games. In the final game, the Blues crept ever-so-close to the lead, however couldn’t manager to get over the hump. Josh Shermer’s (North York, Ont.) acrobatic digs and aggressive blocking helped to rally the team late as Toronto knotted things up 21-21. The Gaels pulled off the victory in the end coming away with the 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 11-25, 22-25) victory.

Joren Zeeman (Cambridge, Ont.) led Queen’s with 10 kills and eight digs, while teammate Niko Rukavina (Mississauga, Ont.) also tallied 10 kills and added five digs in the victory.

Fourth-year Blues veteran Steven Kung (North York, Ont.) recorded a game-high 11 kills, while teammate Jessi Lelliott (Kelowna, B.C.) led all players with 17 digs and added 10 kills.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow as they host the RMC Paladins at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. The women are scheduled to start at 12 p.m., with the men to follow at 2 p.m.