The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team defeated the Windsor Lancers 3-2 (23-25, 27-25, 25-17, 26-28, 15-13) to clinch seventh place and the final playoff spot on Saturday, February 20th at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. 

The Blues are 10-9 with one regular season game remaining and will make their first post season appearance since 2007 next Saturday, February 27. 

Steven Kung (Toronto) started things off in favour of the Blues, but Josh Edwards (Kingston, Ont.) answered right back for the Lancers. The first set tied up 12 times with neither team taking a definitive lead. Kung tied the game for the final time at 14-14, after which the Lancers broke into the lead. Matthew Stefanoff (Unionville, Ont.) gained some ground for the Blues near the end, however Edwards ended it for the Lancers 25-23. 

The Lancers took an early lead in the second with the help of Shane Byrne (LaSalle, Ont.). Byrne pushed the Lancers ahead by five points, with the help of Adam Prieur (Tecumseh, Ont.), who finished the game with 52 assists to his name. However, before the Lancers could get too comfortable, Stefanoff answered back with a five-point streak, gaining the lead for the Blues. The game was a back-and-forth battle from then on, tying 25-25. With tensions high, the Blues managed to take the set 27-25. 

Kung and Edwards battled it out in the third with their signature kills, but neither could push their team into the lead until the middle of the set. Kung finally broke out for the Blues with a three-point streak, backed up by hard-hitter Mike Manning (Vernon, B.C.) who helped secure their advantage. The Blues continued to rake in the points, ending the game 25-17. 

Toronto was eager to end it in the fourth, but the Lancers wouldn’t let them take the game that easy. Williamson, Edwards and Harrison Oake (Rodney, Ont.) fought back for the Lancers, gaining an early lead. Mitchell Woodside (Clyde River, P.E.I.) and Manning caught the Blues up and pushed into the lead, but the Lancers continued to tie up the game 20-20, 23-23, and again 24-24.. The Lancers ended the set after their impressive rebound, 28-26, with a final spike from Williamson. 

Windsor continued that momentum through to the fifth set to build a 9-5 lead. However, some huge blocking by Woodside and Stefanoff would rally Toronto to come from behind and take an 11-9 lead. Kung, the Blues player of the game, clinched the 15-13 victory to secure a spot in the upcoming OUA playoffs. 

Kung led the Blues with an amazing 30 kills and six digs, followed by Mike Manning with 19 kills and seven digs. Stefanoff and Woodside were up next, earning 15 and 10 game points respectively. Notably, Deagan McDonald (Calgary) ended with a game-high 56 assists. 

Edwards was the high-scorer for the Windsor Lancers with 17 kills, followed by Justin Kuskoff (Sarnia, Ont.) with 15 kills. Harrison Oake nabbed another 11 in the loss.

The Blues host the Western Mustang in their final regular season game tomorrow (Feb. 21) afternoon at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.  Opening serve 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.