The Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team dropped a narrow 3-2 (14-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-21, 15-5) decision to the York Lions on Sunday, January 16 at Tait McKenzie Centre.

The Blues fought aggressively against the Lions in the opening two sets, soaring through the first set with an incredible eight-point streak to close the match 25-14.

The Lions stepped up in the next set, with many points coming from outside hitter Brandie Wilkerson (Brampton, Ont.). The Lions kept hot on the Blues tail, but they were no match for Coquitlam, B.C., native Karlee Diesing and Shannon Rossall (Calgary), who pushed the Blues on and ended the set with a 25-23 advantage.

Unfortunately for the Blues, the Lions started to show why they are the first-place team in the OUA East. Sheraine Henry of Oakville, Ont. pushed for the Lions in the third as the home team cruised to a 25-14 win.

The Blues regrouped and came back strong in the fourth. They maintained their advantage for most of the game, but York managed to tie the game twice nearing the end of the match. In a tight close, the Lions just clinched it 25-21 to force a fifth set.

It was all Lions from there on, securing two points with a 15-5 win.

Shannon Rossall, Deising and Sarah Chapin (Georgetown, Ont.) were the high scorers for the Blues with 12 kills each. Notably, Alexandra Hudson of Mississauga, Ont., notched nine kills of her own, and Lauren Ebenhardt pulled through with 24 digs.

The Varsity Blues return to action next Friday, January 28 when they travel to Kingston, Ont., to take on the Queen’s Gaels. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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