The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team dropped two games on the road this weekend (Jan. 23-24). The Blues lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Western Mustangs on Friday and 3-1 to the Windsor Lancers on Saturday night.

On Friday, after the Blues handily won the first two sets (25-17, 25-13), Matt Gibson rallied the Mustangs with a kill and three solo blocks to start the third game. Western completed the come-from-behind victory, taking the next three games (25-17, 25-13, 16-14) to down the Blues 3-2.

Steven Kung (Toronto) had a game-high 21 kills, while fifth-year veteran Jessi Lelliot (Kelowna, B.C.) tallied 10 kills and six digs. Blues setter Deagan McDonald (Calgary, Alta.) controlled the ball well, recording 33 assists in the loss.

The Mustangs were led by Reid Halpenny’s (Exeter, Ont.) 16 kills and seven digs, while Dan Miller (St. Mary’s, Ont.), Kyle Bryce (Guelph, Ont.) and Eric Simon (London, Ont.) recorded nine kills apiece.

The Blues won the first game 25-17 on Saturday night but the Lancers rallied to take the second 25-23. With the game tied at 1-1, Windsor picked up the pace and beat the Blues 25-17 in the next two games to secure the 3-1 victory.

Kung again led all players with 18 kills and 10 digs with Lelliot adding 15 kills and 11 digs. First-year standout Mike Manning (Vernon, B.C.) added 10 kills and McDonald had another great setting game with 52 assists for Toronto.

The Lancers were led by Kyle Williamson’s (Essex, Ont.) 14 kills and eight digs. Justin Kuskoff (Sarnia, Ont.) and Stephen Gomes (Tecumseh, Ont.) recorded 10 and 11 kills, respectively, in the win.

The Varsity Blues return home next weekend (Jan. 30-31) as they host the McMaster Marauders and Guelph Gryphons at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time on Friday night is 8 p.m., with Saturday’s matchup scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.