The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team suffered a 3-1 loss to the Brock Badgers on Friday, January 9 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

Brock dominated the first set and held Toronto to single digits for the majority of 25-10 win. However, the Blues would rally as OUA point leader Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) led the charge in a 25-19 overtaking in the second game.

Third-year right side hitter Erin Mercer (Rockwood, Ont.) proved to be too much for the Blue and White with her powerful kills from the back and poised tips at the net as the Badgers took the third set 25-18.

The Blues rallied and held a tight grip throughout the fourth game, keeping the Badgers on their toes. The two teams showed great endurance through many long rallies and despite some great defensive performances from fourth-year libero Michelle Wood (Toronto), U of T came up on the short end, dropping the deciding set 25-16.

Bansley was named the Blues player of the game with a game-high 16 kills and 15 digs. Wood tallied 19 digs, while Vancouver, B.C. native Kathleen Mahannah controlled the ball all over the court with 30 assists on the night.

Mercer led the Badgers with 15 kills and nine digs, while Shannon Anderson (Newmarket, Ont.) knocked down 14 kills and 15 digs. Brock libero Kaila Wiley (Mississauga, Ont.) led all players with 23 digs and second-year setter Ally Fast (St. Catharines, Ont.) racked up 28 assists in the victory.

The Blues return to action this Sunday, January 11 when they travel to Ottawa to take on the Gee-Gees. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.