Mike Manning was named the Varsity Blues player of the game and he led the University of Toronto men’s volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-18) win over their cross-town rivals, the York Lions, on Saturday, November 14 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. 

Manning (Vernon, B.C.) was the high scorer for the Blues with 12 kills and 6 digs, while all-Canadian Steven Kung (Toronto, Ont.) following right behind with 12 kills and 5 digs. 

Toronto opened the contest with a strong, assertive effort in the first game and got things rolling with a 25-18 victory. 

In the second game the Lions came out strong, eager to tie the game up; Mitchell Woodside (Clyde River, P.E.I.) and Matthew Stefanoff (Unionville, Ont.) worked hard for the Blues, making a number of key digs and blocking many of York’s serves and the Blues comfortably won the set by 10 points (25-15). 

In their final and deciding match, the Blues fought hard against the Lions, who pressed hard to keep the score close however, in the end, Toronto widened the gap late in the set. 

Despite some impressive shots from York’s Phiippe Charron (Ottawa, Ont.) and Alex Boucad (Toronto, Ont.), Steven Kung (Toronto, Ont.) took matters into his own hands and ended the night with two incredibly powerful kills as his team took the deciding game 25-18. 

Notably, Reid Hall (Georgetown, Ont.) was named player of the game for the Lions scoring 11 kills and three digs. 

The Varsity Blues are set to hit the court next on Friday, November 20 when they face the Queen’s Gaels in Kingston, Ont. Game time is scheduled for 8 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.