On the road in Thunder Bay, Ont., the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team went 2-0 in OUA action this weekend, downing the Lakehead Thunderwolves 3-0 on Saturday and 3-0 again on Sunday (Jan. 24 & 25).

The host T’Wolves hung tough in the first set on Saturday afternoon, keeping the Blues within striking distance. However, Toronto found a way to pull through in the first set, 25-22, and would do on to dominate the final two sets, handily defeating their opponent 25-12 and 25-12.

Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) led all players with 18 points, tallying 14 digs and 26 digs as well as knocking down four service aces. Fourth-year arts and science major Kristina Valjas (Toronto) had a solid game as well with 11 points – 10 kills and 21 digs. Fourth-year setter Kathleen Mahannah (Vancouver) had a great day at the net with 33 assists.

On Sunday, the Blues started off the same they had finished Saturday’s match against Lakehead – strong in every facet of the game – which led to a second straight-sets victory over the host T-Wolves (25-15, 25-12, 25-22).

Toronto jumped out to an early 8-5 lead as Lakehead was hard pressed to contain the Blues' dominant front line.

A string of five unanswered points off the serve of Caley Venn (Bowmanville, Ont.) put the first set out of reach. The second set saw the Blues open up an early 10-2 lead, cruising to rest of the way, taking the middle set by 13.

The Wolves came out hungrier in the third and kept pace with a tough Toronto squad, however, the Blues would close out the match taking the final two points.

The Blues were once again led by OUA scoring leader Bansley's eight points, 18 kills, and 16 digs, while Valjas tallied 13 points, 11 kills and 14 digs. Richmond Hill’s Dianne Burrows contribute six points with six kills and 18 digs.

Karla Brayshaw and Kalea Mullett led the Wolves offensively with eight points apiece: Mullett notched seven kills and 12 digs, while Brayshaw knocked down five kills.

The Varsity Blues are back in the Sports Gym this coming Friday, January 30th, to take on the visiting Ottawa Gee-Gees in their final regular season home game. Toronto will be honouring their graduating student-athletes is a special ceremony prior to the match. Game time is set for 6 p.m.