The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's volleyball teams begin the second half of their season this weekend (Jan. 11-12) when they travel to take on the Nipissing Lakers and York Lions.

The women start the action at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4 p.m. on both days. All four games will be streamed live, with links to each broadcast available on varsityblues.ca.

The Blues women started the new year with a bang, going 2-1 at the Alberta New Year's Classic (Jan. 3-5) in Edmonton.
Toronto defeated the Mount Royal Cougars 3-1 and the Regina Cougars 3-0 before falling 3-1 to the Alberta Pandas. U of T is 8-2 heading into the weekend and sit in third place in the OUA East behind York and Ottawa.

Toronto's attack is led by veterans Charlotte Sider (Ottawa) and Jennifer Neilson (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) who have averaged 2.86 and 2.92 kills per set, respectively, and have each notched 10 serving aces.

Kate Lonergan (North Vancouver, B.C.) continues to dominate the court with 150 digs in 34 sets. The rookie ranks fifth in the OUA in digs, while fellow first-year standout Tessa Davis (South Surrey, B.C.) sits at fourth in the OUA with 25.5 blocks.

The Lakers are 0-11 and led by Lindsay Vanderweide, who averages 1.62 kills per set. The Blues defeated the Lakers 3-0 in their first meeting of the season on October 25, 2013.

The No. 6 Lions sit in second place in the OUA East division with a 9-1 record. Brandi Wilkerson leads the Lions and ranks second in the OUA with 3.42 kills per set. U of T was defeated by the Lions, 3-0, in their last meeting on October 27, 2013.

The Blues men come into the New Year with a 4-7 record and sit in a three-way tie for sixth place in the OUA standings.
Fourth-year veteran Jake Dysselhof (Mississauga, Ont.) has dominated for Toronto, averaging 2.95 kills and 1.57 digs per set, while also adding a team-high 15 serving aces. Dysselhof ranks sixth in the OUA in kills and fourth in serving aces.

Rookie William Colucci (Toronto) has also been making his mark on the team, averaging 3.53 kills per set, good for fourth in the province.

The Lakers are 1-9 heading into the weekend. The Blues defeated the Lakers 3-0 in their first meeting this season at home on Oct. 26.

The Lions are fourth in the OUA standings with a7-3 record. Toronto fell 3-1 in their last match up with the Lions on Oct. 27. Ray Szeto leads the Lions attack with 159 kills and 13 serving aces and ranks second in the OUA in kills.

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