The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team claimed a 3-1 (25-20, 29-31, 25-16, 25-22) victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday, January 24th at the Wilfrid Laurier University Athletic Complex. 

Toronto native Steven Kung notched the first two points for the Blues to start the game, however, Hawks Cameron Wheelan (Barrie, Ont.) responded for Laurier and tie things up in the early going. Varsity picked up the advantage after some impressive kills from Michael Manning of Vernon, B.C. and Matthew Stefanoff (Unionville, Ont.). 

With the Blues in control at 17-10, Laurier’s Erik Kroman (Etobicoke, Ont.) raked in five consecutive points for the Hawks to get his team back in the game. Adam Palmer (Ottawa) came through after that and ended the set 25-20. 

The Blues remained in the lead for most of the second set as Manning and Kung continued to dominate the net. 

With the score 23-20 in the second and the Blues eager to finish off the set, Wheelan came to the rescue for the home team once again with two kills to tie the game, 23-23. After two additional points from both sides, the teams were deadlocked 24-24. Going into extra points, there would be three additional times things were tied until one final kill from Wheelan clinched it for the Golden Hawks. 

Kung was again the first Blue to strike in the third set. The two-time CIS all-Canadian tallied the first two kills of the game, followed by powerful spikes from Stefanoff. The Blues dominated the game, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout. Toronto took the set 25-16. 

The fourth and final set was another close one as the Golden Hawks were eager to go keep the match going. The Blues took the lead yet again with Mitchell Woodside (Clyde River, P.E.I.) knocking down some key kills and Palmer repeatedly saving shots to keep to rally going. 

Laurier cut into the lead at the end of the match, but ultimately the Blues ended the set with a 25-22 victory. 

Manning led the Blues with 21 kills and 10 digs, while Kung added an impressive 19 kills and Woodside had seven and also tallied six digs. Notably, Deagan McDonald (Calgary, Alta.) was responsible for ball distribution and did so with 49 assists. 

The Golden Hawks were led by Wheelan with 19 kills and six digs. 

The Blues return to action this Friday, January 29 and take on the York Lions at U of T’s 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.