The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team defeated the RMC Paladins 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-13) on Sunday, January 31st at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. 

Karlee Deising of Coquitlam, B.C. and Rebecca Crosier (Ottawa) started the first set off for the Blues and took the lead right off the bat. The Blues maintained a five-point advantage for most of the first half of the match and despite some kills from Paladins Jennifer Wotherspoon (Waterdown, Ont.) and Norah Collins (Cedar Valley, Ont.), the Blues pulled through and won the set 25-15. 

The Paladins stood tough and grabbed the first five points of the second set. The Blues worked their way back into the game slowly, tying it up 6-6 and again 8-8. Alexandra Hudson (Mississauga, Ont.), Kingston, Ont. native Amy Sweetman and fifth-year veteran Lauren Willoughby (Unionville, Ont.) then each knocked down three kills each, initiating a 10-0 run for Toronto. The top-seeded Blues maintain their lead and took the set 25-10. 

The game tied six times at the beginning of the third set and for a while it was unclear who would take a definitive lead. Deising would be the one to do it for the Blues, helping to give her squad a three-point cushion. Mellissa McCoy of Kingston, Ont. did her best to battle it out for the Paladins, but it was too late as the Blues took the game, 25-13, and the match 3-0. 

Varsity Blues player of the game Willoughby led the Blues with seven kills and seven digs, followed by fourth-year outside hitter Diesing with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Crosier added seven kills and six digs. Alexandra Hudson (Mississauga, Ont.) and Katrina Rossall (Calgary) nabbed three and five kills respectively, Kathleen Mahannah (North Vancouver) got four past the Paladins and Amy Sweetman finished off with four. 

The leaders for the Paladins were Melissa McCoy with six kills and seven digs, Norah Collins with a kill and four digs and Glynis Rogers (Yarmouth, N.S.) with a kill and seven digs. 

The Varsity Blues return to the court on Sunday, Feb. 7, to take on the McMaster Marauders at the Athletic Centre. Game time 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.