The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team fell 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 16-25, 18-25) to the Guelph Gryphons on Friday, October 30 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

The Blues got off to a slow start and found themselves down 8-4 at the first technical timeout in the first game. U of T rallied to within two but were unable to complete the comeback and dropped the first game 25-20.

The second match proved to be a tight back-and-forth battle with neither team building more than a three-point lead. Toronto held a slight advantage at both technical time outs and fourth-year transfer student Karlee Diesing (Coquitlam, B.C.) evened the score with a huge kill to take the second game 25-23.

The third game started much like the second as both teams exchanged points. However, the Gryphons kicked it up a notch and went on a 12-2 run to take a commanding 20-11 lead. Guelph took the second game 25-16.

The Gryphons carried that momentum over to go up 11-5 at the first technical time out in the fourth set. Toronto put forth a valiant effort and brought the game within four, but the Gryphons prevailed and handed the Blues their first regular season loss of 2009-10.

Kylen Van Osch (Exeter, Ont.) tallied a game-high 15 kills as was named the Gryphons player of the game. Claire Sandor (Waterloo, Ont.) had nine kills, while Kaitlyn Krizmanich (Carlisle, Ont.) and Devon Jones (Rockwood, Ont.) recorded eight apiece. Libero Megan Canavan garnered 25 digs in the victory.

Diesing and Rebecca Crosier (Ottawa) led Toronto with 12 kills and 10 digs each. Fifth-year veteran Michelle Wood (Toronto) had 11 digs and was named the Varsity Blues player of the game.

The Varsity Blues return to action on Sunday, November 1 as they host the Waterloo Warriors at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.