With a gritty performance in the first OUA semifinal of the women’s volleyball Final Four, the University of Toronto women’s volleyball team’s bid to upset the McMaster Marauders ended in a five-set thriller, 25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 26-28, 15-8.

With the loss, the Varsity Blues will play for the bronze medal on Saturday afternoon. They will face the Western Mustangs at 6 p.m. at the Tait McKenzie Centre at York University.

The Blues put forth a strong fight against a Marauders team that had out-played them in the last few meetings. Toronto’s last victory over McMaster came on Jan. 22, 2006 when the Blues came away with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-19) win.

Down two sets to one, Toronto made an impressive run midway through and would go on to win an exciting fourth game 28-26 to push the match to fifth and final set. McMaster would take control late and win the fifth 15-8.

First team all-star Heather Bansley led all players with 20 kills and had an impressive 28 digs. The Waterdown Ont. native finished the season ranked first in the OUA and second in the CIS, averaging 5.40 points per game. In addition, the veteran also finished first in the OUA in kills per game (4.27) and second in serving aces per game (0.90) during the regular season.

Third-year leftside hitter Diane Burrows (Richmond Hill, Ont.) tallied 15 kills and 22 digs, while senior Caley Venn (Bowmanville, Ont.) knocked down 11 kills and eight digs.

Michelle Wood (Toronto), the 2008-09 OUA East merit award winner, led all defensive players with a game-high 31 digs.