The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team continued their 2010 success, defeating the York Lions 3-1 (27-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-11) on Friday, January 29. The Blues are now 3-1 in the New Year and have battled back to a .500 record at 7-7. 

Both teams were streaky in the first set, as the Blues jumped up to an 8-4 lead thanks to a couple of kills by Toronto native Steven Kung. The Lions then went on a 4-0 run of their own, evening up the first set at 8-8. 

That being said, Toronto would go into the second technical time-out up 16-12 off three straight blocks by Adam Palmer (Ottawa). 

The lead slowly dissipated as the Lions crawled back into the game, going on a 5-1 streak to overtake the Blues. 

The teams continued to go back and forth past the 25-point mark; however a block by fourth-year middle Matthew Stefanoff would put the Blues up by one. The Unionville, Ont. native then denied the Lions again, sending the Blues to a first set victory, 27-25. 

Some strong play by the Lions combined with unforced errors by Toronto led to an 8-5 York lead at the first technical time-out of the second set. 

The mistakes continued for Toronto, as twice they were called for foot faults on serving attempts. Despite this, the Blues built some momentum, cumulating with a couple of blocks from Stefanoff and Mitchell Woodside (Clyde River, P.E.I.), and entered the second technical up 16-15. 

Kung then provided some breathing room for his team with a couple of timely kills then serving aces by Palmer and Mike Manning (Vernon, B.C.) iced the second set for Toronto, the score ending 25-22.
 
In the third set, the Blues jumped out ahead and were up five at one point, leading 11-6. However, York would slowly chip away at the lead, and then Jordan Matthews (Ajax, Ont.) would explode with three straight aces to give the Lions their first lead of the set. A couple of kills from Kung kept the Blues on pace, but they trailed 16-15 at the second technical timeout. 

The set continued to be very tight, but with the game tied at 23-23, the Lions got a crucial block to take the lead. Toronto then sent their kill attempt long and York would clinch the third set to stay alive, 25-23.
 
The setback seemed to spark the Varsity Blues, as they quickly jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fourth set.  Woodside in particular came alive, notching five kills and adding a block for Toronto. 

The Lions had no answer, unable to string together more than two points, the Blues would take the fourth with ease 25-11, and the match 3-1. 

Since their slow start at the beginning of the season, the Varsity Blues have now won seven of their past ten matches and sit tied for sixth place in the OUA standings. 

They will look to push their record above the .500 mark for the first time this season on Sunday, January 31, when they take on the RMC Paladins at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time is set for 4 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.