The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team defeated the Guelph Gryphons 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-19) on Friday, January 16 at Guelph University. 

With the win the Blues improve to 5-6 and are in a three-way tie for sixth place with the Waterloo Warriors and Laurier Golden Hawks. 

The first set went back-and-forth as the Gryphons kept the score relatively even. Tied 22-22, the Blues took control to break through the Gryphons defence and take the set 25-22. 

Confident from their first victory, U of T went on to dominate the Gryphons in the second set. Adam Palmer (Ottawa, Ont.), Matthew Stefanoff (Unionville, Ont.) and Steven Kung (Toronto) provided excellent support to take the second match by a comfortable 25-15. 

Tensions were high coming into the third as the Gryphons fought to get back in the game. Andrew Bartram (Aurora, Ont.) and Winston Rosser (Whitby, Ont.) were strong players for Guelph, keeping the score tight and tying it up at 18-18. However, Mitchell Woodside’s (Clyde River, P.E.I) powerful kills lifted Toronto out of the tie to go on a 7-1 run, with a final kill from Kung to secure the 3-0 victory.
 
Kung led all players with 12 kills and four digs, while second-year standout Mike Manning (Vernon, B.C.) tallied nine kills and four digs. 

The Gryphons were led by Bartram and Rosser’s eight and nine kills, respectively. 

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow (Jan. 16) when they take on the Rams at the Ryerson University Campus. The game 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.