Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues were forced to a fifth set for the first time this season and came out on top, defeating the Ryerson Rams 3-2 (25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 15-13) in a thrilling OUA women's volleyball match on Friday night (Feb. 6) at Mattamy Athletic Centre.

With the win, the Blues, who are tied with the Alberta Pandas as the No. 1 nationally ranked team in the country, improve to 18-0 and remain atop the OUA East standings.

"We demonstrated great resilience today," said Varsity Blues head coach Kristine Drakich. "Ryerson capitalized on some opportunities in the third and played very well. We stayed on course and rose to the challenge in the end."

Down 3-0 early in the fifth set, the Blues came charging back and both teams remained tied at 13-13. U of T hammered out the win with a final kill from Charlotte Sider to seal their 18th consecutive victory.

Fifth-year left side hitter Charlotte Sider notched a game and season-high 22 kills, while adding nine digs and one ace.

Third-year standout Caleigh Cruickshank followed suit, recording a career-high 21 kills and team-high 13 digs on the night, while veteran Jennifer Neilson also added a career-high 17 kills, 12 digs and four blocks.

Sophomore middle Tessa David had seven kills and four blocks, while Madelyn Mandryk tallied a career-high 54 assists. Denise Wooding added 12 digs in the victory. 

The Varsity Blues wrap up their regular season versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees tomorrow at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. The Blues will honour their graduating players in a special pre-game ceremony prior to opening serve at 2 p.m. 

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