The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team’s winning momentum continues through the month of January as they downed the RMC Paladins 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-13) on Sunday (Jan. 31) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. 

Toronto has won four of its last five regular-season contests – their only loss coming at Ryerson on January 16th. With a record of 8-7, they now find themselves in sixth place in the OUA standings and only six points out of third. 

The Blues came out strong and tallied the first four points of the game with the help of all-Canadian Steven Kung (Toronto). RMC’s outside hitter Paul Demers (Manitowaning, Ont.) and middle Jim Sarsons (Lloydminster, Alta.) fired back for the Paladins to put the visitors on top. 

Vernon, B.C. native Mike Manning raked in some timely kills and key blocks for the Blues, helping Toronto regain the lead near the middle of the set. 

The Blues held onto the lead, however, the Paladins would not go away. Thankfully, Mitchell Woodside (Clyde River, P.E.I.) and Manning nabbed the last two points and put the first set to rest, 25-21. 

Robert Hartzell of Bowmanville, Ont. and Phil Gulajski (Ottawa) got the Paladins off to a great start in the second set yet the Blues quickly tied things up. Matthew Stefanoff (Unionville, Ont.) helped the put the Blues back on top, while Kung and Woodside helped increase that lead. 

Demers and Ian Wookey (South Slocan, B.C.) pulled the Paladins to within three, 16-13, when Toronto answered back with an amazing eight-point run to win the set 25-13. 

Kung started the final set with a bang but RMC’s Gulajski and Wookey responded. Manning again helped the Blues maintain their advantage but the Paladins, led this game by Sackville N.B. native Sean Vanthournout, weren’t ready to let this game get out of hand. 

However, Kung and crew were too much on this day as Toronto would eventually close out the game and the match with a convincing 25-13 win. 

Kung was the high-scorer for the Blues with a powerful 17-kill performance and seven digs, while Manning added 13 kills and seven digs. Notably, Stefanoff ended the game with a kill and three digs and Michael Majcen (Scarborough, Ont.) was named the Varsity Blues player of the game. 

Player of the game Vanthournout tallied five kills for the Paladins, followed by Wookey with three kills and four digs. 

The Varsity Blues return to the Athletic Centre Sports Gym and face the McMaster Marauders on Sunday, February 7th at the Athletic Centre. The game is scheduled 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.