The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision to the Queen’s Gaels on Friday, February 6 at Bartlett Gymnasium in Kingston, Ont.

Coming off a stunning upset over the No. 7 McMaster Marauders, the Blues were faced with another unviable take of knocking down the OUA’s number three team.

The Blues got off to a slow start, dropping the first game 25-14 but quickly recovered to take the second and third sets 25-22, 25-23.

Down two games to one, the second-place Gaels stepped up under pressure and pulled through with two consecutive sets 25-21, 11-15 to secure the 3-2 victory.

Steven Kung (Toronto) tallied a team-high 16 kills and nine digs, while Jessi Lelliott (Kelowna, B.C.) led all players with 15 digs. First-year standout Mike Manning (Vernon, B.C.) had 12 kills in the loss.

The Gaels were led by Joren Zeeman’s (Cambridge, Ont.) 20 kills and nine digs. Jeff Demeza (Calgary, Alta.) had 18 kills and Niko Rukavina (Mississauga, Ont.) tallied 13 digs in the victory.

Last time these two teams met, the Blues fell in straight sets to the Gaels. With today’s loss, Toronto falls out of playoff contention in the 2008-09 season.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow as they take on the RMC Paladins in Kingston, Ont. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m.