The University of Toronto Varsity Blues badminton team began their 2008 OUA campaign with a convincing10-3 victory over the McMaster Marauders at the University of Toronto Sports Gym.

In women’s action, the Varsity Blues came away undefeated, sweeping all three singles matches and two doubles matches. Team captain Shilin Cheung (Hong Kong) was outstanding in singles play, dominating in an amazing display of quality shot selection. She defeated Phoebe Lam (Scarborough, Ont.) 21-0 in the first game and won the second 21-4.

In women’s doubles, Cheung paired up with two-time OUA all-star Caroline Cheung (Toronto, Ont.) to defeat McMaster duo Jamie Williams (Mississauga, Ont.) and Susan Loi (Toronto, Ont.) in two straight games 21-14, 21-12.

Eight-time OUA all-star Melissa Hill (Oakville, Ont.) recorded a perfect weekend as she dominated the singles court against Allison Bennet (Oakville, Ont.), winning in two straight sets, 21-11, 21-8. Hill paired up with men’s captain Andy Lam and defeated 2007 OUA MVP Sen Hoong Phang (Thornhill, Ont.) and Williams handily in mixed doubles action.

On the men’s side, second-year player Jesse Assing (Bethany, Ont.) had an outstanding performance in both doubles and mixed doubles. He defeated Sen Han Phang (Thornhill, Ont.) in a tough three-game match (21-11, 14-21, 21-11) and then paired up with 2006 OUA all-star Warren Leung (Windsor, Ont.) to defeat Phang and Hubert Lee (Toronto, Ont.) of McMaster in the top men’s doubles match.

Other outstanding performances for the Blues were Caroline Cheung (Toronto, Ont.) with two wins, Raymond Zhang (Toronto, Ont.) with one win and Brantford native Josee Matte who rallied back to win her singles match after losing the first game 21-19.

The Varsity Blues host the York Lions on Saturday, October 18 at University of Toronto Athletic Centre. Matches are set to start at 10:00 a.m.

FULL RESULTS

Men's Singles
Sen Hoong Phang (McMaster) defeated Andy Lam (Toronto) 21-7, 21-19
Jesse Assing (Toronto) defeated Sen Han Phang (McMaster) 21-11, 14-21, 21-11
Raymond Zhang (Toronto) defeated Hubert Lee (McMaster) 21-19, 21-18

Ladies Singles
Melissa Hill (Toronto) defeated Allison Bennet (McMaster) 21-11, 21-8
Shilin Cheung (Toronto) defeated Phoebe Lam (McMaster) 21-0, 21-4
Josee Matte (Toronto) defeated Karen Wong (McMaster) 19-21, 21-9, 21-11

Men's Doubles
Jesse Assing/Warren Leung (Toronto) def. Sen Han Phang/Hubert Lee 21-10, 21-14
Jacky Ng/Graham Dalseg (McMaster) def. Graeme MacInnes/Dustin Yu 15-21, 23-21, 21-7

Ladies Doubles
Carolyn Cheung/Shilin Cheung (Toronto) def. Jamie Williams/Susan Loi (McMaster) 21-14, 21-12
Lin Wang/Shirley Lin (Toronto) def. Phoebe Lam/Karen Wong (McMaster) 11-21, 21-17, 21-15

Mixed Doubles
Andy Lam/Melissa Hill (Toronto) def. Sen Hoong Phang/Jamie Williams (McMaster) 13-21, 21-15, 21-14
Warren Leung/Caroline Cheung (Toronto) def. Jacky Ng/Susan Loi (McMaster) 16-21, 21-9, 21-10
Graham Dalseg/Alison Bennet (McMaster) def. Graeme MacInnes/Josee Matte (Toronto) 21-17, 21-11