The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team fell 3-1 to the York Lions on Thursday, January 15 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

York came out strong in the first set but Toronto was able to hold on and only trailed 16-15 at the second technical timeout. The Lions stepped up and held the Blues to only three more points, taking the first game 25-18.

Toronto bounced back and went on an eight-point run early in the second set to take an 11-6 lead. The Lions rallied to make things close, but fourth-year left side hitter Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) recorded a huge kill to take the game 25-23.

Both teams went back-and-forth at the beginning of the third set until York began to pull away and after the second technical timeout, the Lions dominated the court to pull away with a 25-17 victory.

In the fourth and final set, the Blues and White trailed York for the entire game and were unable to make up the points by the end of the match. The Lions won 25-21 to secure their 12th consecutive win this season.

Blues player of the game Kathleen Mahannah (Vancouver, B.C.) tallied 33 assists and 14 digs. Dianne Burrows (Richmond Hill, Ont.) led Toronto with 12 kills while Bansley recorded 11 kills and nine digs in the loss.

Nadia Reider (Buenos Aires, Argentina) ended the night with 41 assists and was named York’s player of the game for her efforts. First year, Thinesa Sriskandarajah (Scarborough, Ont.) led all players with 13 kills while Candice Paulsen (Scarborough, Ont.) and Kristina Vleck (Toronto) added 11 kills apiece.

The Varsity Blues return to action this Sunday, January 18 when they travel across town to take on the Ryerson Rams. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.