The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team defeated the Guelph Gryphons in straight sets on Saturday, January 31 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

Toronto and Guelph exchanged points throughout the first set, with neither team gaining more than a five-point advantage.

Up 16-14 at the second technical timeout, third-year setter and Blues player of the game Deagan McDonald (Calgary, Alta.) widened the gap with a huge kill and serving ace to build a four-point lead.

Despite some solid blocking from third-year Gryphon Andrew Revie (Guelph), Blues standout Steven Kung (Toronto) finished things off with three kills to take the first game 25-23.

Guelph rallied in the second game and held an 8-4 lead at the first technical timeout. However, Brad Pierik (Toronto) led his troops back with a couple of huge kills and a solo block to give the Blues a one-point lead at the second technical timeout.

Things went back-and-forth following the second technical time out and once again it was Kung who wrapped up the set for Toronto, recording the last three points for a 25-22 win.

The Gryphons would again take the lead early in the third set, led by North Bay, Ont. native James Stamler’s aggressive hitting. However, down 17-12 after the second technical time out, Toronto regrouped and went on a six-point run to narrow the game to one.

Coupled with some Gryphons errors, the Blues tied the game at 21 with a huge blocking effort by Kung and third-year middle Adam Palmer (Ottawa, Ont.). As he had done all day, Kung ended the third game (25-23) with a huge kill to secure the 3-0 victory.

Kung led all players with 20 kills, while fifth-year veteran Jessi Lelliot (Kelowna, B.C.) had seven kills, a game-high 10 digs and three serving aces. McDonald was vital to the Blues success with 36 assists and five digs in the victory.

Stamler and Johnathan Whitton (Edmonton, Alta.) led the Gryphons with eight kills apiece, while Gabriel Degroot (Lanley, B.C.) tallied ten digs in the loss.

With the win, the Blues improve their record to 8-10 and are tied with the Laurier Golden Hawks for sixth place in the highly-competitive OUA.

The Varsity Blues return to action next weekend (Feb. 6-7) as they travel to take on the Queen’s Gaels and RMC Paladins in Kingston, Ont. Game time on Friday is 8 p.m., with Saturday’s match scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.