HAMILTON, Ont. – The Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Eligibility Committee has officially ruled on a violation by York University.

York self-disclosed the participation of an ineligible women’s volleyball student-athlete in its February 18 quarter-final playoff game versus RMC. The self-disclosure was preceded by a review and confirmation by the Committee regarding the application of CIS rules to the athlete in question. 

As a result, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) imposed a sanction of forfeiture by York, and RMC has been awarded a 3-0 win. The RMC Paladins will now compete in the OUA Final Four championship. The York Lions had finished first in OUA standings, and were set to host the Final Four. These hosting privileges are now void.

Consequently, as the next highest seed, Ottawa will host the OUA Final Four women’s volleyball championship from February 25-26. Due to the re-seeding, the Toronto Varsity Blues will play the Queen’s Gaels in a semifinal at 12 p.m., and the Ottawa Gee-Gees and RMC Paladins will go head to head in the second semifinal at 3 p.m. The bronze medal and championship games are scheduled for noon and 3 p.m. respectively, on Sunday, February 26.

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Varsity Blues Women's Volleyball  OUA Final Four Preview:

The Blues came up with a huge 3-0 quarter-final win over the fourth-place McMaster Marauders last Saturday to earn their 22nd OUA Final Four appearance in the past 23 seasons. Toronto last claimed the banner in 2009-10, their eighth in team history.

“Playoffs are always exciting,” said Kristine Drakich, now in here 23rd season as Blues bench boss.  “We're looking forward to competing strong this weekend and really taking advantage of this great opportunity to earn a berth to the CIS championship.”

Second-year standout Charlotte Sider led the Blues, averaging 3.05 kills per set during the regular season.  Fellow Ottawa native Rebecca Crosier averaged 2.10 kills and 2.75 digs per set, while Katrina Rossall had a team-high 3.88 digs per set in 2011-12.

Third-year setter Malena Rapaport ranked fourth in the OUA with 9.29 assists per set, while Shannon Rossall led the team with 56 blocks.

The Blues will have to watch York’s Brandie Wilkerson, who led the OUA with 3.56 kills per set. Jennifer Black ranked second in the province with 4.52 digs per set.

2012 OUA Women’s Volleyball Final Four Schedule

Feb. 25
Semifinal 1: Toronto vs Queen's 12pm
Semifinal 2: RMC vs Ottawa 3pm

Feb. 26
Bronze: Loser Semifinal 1 vs Loser Semifinal 2 12pm
Final: Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2 3pm