The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team handily defeated the Ryerson Rams 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-15) on Friday, November 14th at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. 

Second-year middle hitter Shannon Rossall (Calgary, Alta.) got the Blues off to a good start, landing some powerful kills. The Rams kept the game close, tying the game 8-8 halfway in; However, from that point on the Blues increased the gap with Rebecca Crosier (Ottawa, Ont.) blocking many of the Rams shots and scoring the final point of the set to give the Blues a 25-21 win. 

Leah Saar (Ajax, Ont.) was a powerful contender for the Rams in the second game, raking in the points and helping Ryerson take an early lead. First-year Varsity Blue Lauren Willoughby (Unionville, Ont.) and veteran Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) snuck some nice shots past the Rams as Toronto took the second game 25-21. 

Crosier again led the Blues at the beginning of the third set. The Rams gained some ground and levelled the playing field in the middle of the match with a nice block from Kasandra Bracken (Sherwood Park, Alta.). The Blues then went on a huge run led by Amy Sweetman (Kingston, Ont.) and Bansley to gain a commanding 21-9 lead. 

The Rams played catch up for the rest of the game, managing to land another 6 points thanks to Lindsay Franco (Oakville, Ont.) and Saar, but the Blues maintained their advantage, winning the game 25-15. 

Bansley was named the Varsity Blues player of the game with seven kills and 15 digs. Crosier also tallied five kills and eight digs, while Rossall had six in the win. 

Carli Yim was named player of the game for the Rams, for her six-kill, 11-dig performance. 

The Blues take on the York Lions tomorrow (Nov. 15) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. The game 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.