The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team defeated the RMC Paladins 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-14) on Friday, November 26 at the Athletics Centre Sports Gym.

The Blues gained the lead in the first set almost immediately. Alexandra Hudson of Mississauga, Ont. riddled the Paladins with shots, notching four kills before the first technical timeout. The Blues continued to widen the gap with an eight-point streak to bring the score up 17-8. The Paladins had a small comeback halfway through the set, but Hudson and Sarah Chapin of Georgetown, Ont., responded to regain control. With a final kill from Vancouver native Malena Rapaport, the Blues took the set 25-13.

Elyssa Lanoix started off the second, the Blues strongest of the match, and helped them earn a fast and steady lead. Toronto rallied together once again after the first technical, this time with a six-point streak thanks to both Katrina and Shannon Rossall of Calgary. U of T continued to block out the Paladins, ending the set with a final ace from Hudson, 25-9.

RMC’s Brianne Baum of Penetanguishe, Ont. and Kingston, Ont., native Melissa McCoy began the final set with some powerful shots, rearing to get back in the game. Ariel Brown-Berkeley (Cambridge, Ont.) landed a few nice kills for the Paladins in the middle of the set and they began to gain some ground; however, a number of technical errors would diminish their momentum. Shannon Rossall finished the match with a powerful strike to secure the Blues third straight win.

Lanoix tallied a game-high 11 kills, while Hudson had nine kills, 10 digs and three blocks and Shannon Rossall recorded eight kills in the win.

RMC was led by six kills from both Ariel Brown-Berkley and Danielle Vortisch.

The Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team returns to the court tomorrow when they travel to Waterloo, Ont., to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

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