Claiming their first OUA title since 2011, the defending OUA champion University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's tennis team enter this weekend's championship tournament primed and ready for a repeat performance while the women aim to join their counterparts on the podium.

Hosted by the Western Mustangs at the University Tennis Centre in London, Ontario the three-day tournament is set to kickoff Friday, October 14 with the No. 2 Varsity Blues taking on the No. 7 McMaster Marauders in the championships opening contest scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. first serve.

Despite having lost OUA player of the year and University of Toronto Frank Pindar award winner Zain Manji from the Blues championship team a season ago, Toronto returns a duo of difference-makers whom both picked up crucial victories in the 2015 OUA finals.

Picking up a doubles win with Manji and a singles victory in the No. 4 position in last year's banner winning finals, Sasha Obucina has elevated his play stepping into the No. 1 role left behind by his former partner. Having scored singles victories over McGill, Montreal, McMaster, and Waterloo this season the second-year lead man will be challenging the opposition's top contenders all weekend long.

Meanwhile, third-year Andrew Bourne-Kaponeridis also claimed victory in both his doubles and singles contests as part of the Blues championship performance last season. The six foot powerhouse has overwhelmed teams in 2016 with fellow third-year Jeffrey Klotz joining the proven veteran as his doubles partner. Together the duo have lost only one match as a pair and can lay claim to a big 8-6 victory over the No. 1 Western Mustangs earlier this season.

For the women, they will enter the tournament with a team of returning talent and impressive newcomers.

Toronto will be led by 2015 OUA all-star Victoria Au and doubles partner Jennifer Cape.

Combined with the youthful play of second-years Kimberly Lai and Jaimi Foster; and first-years Alara Demirag and Alexandra Boone; whom have played in nearly every match this season the Blues boast a well-rounded group.

The No. 4 Varsity Blues women kickoff action Friday, October 14 against the No. 5 Waterloo Warriors with first serve set for 4 p.m.

Full Schedule

Friday October 14, 2016
Match 1 – Men's 2 Toronto vs. Men's 7 McMaster – 8:30 a.m.
Match 2 – Women's #2 Montreal vs. Women's #7 Carleton – 11:00 a.m.
Match 3 – Men's #4 Waterloo vs. Men's #5 York – 1:30 p.m.
Match 4 – Women's #4 Toronto vs. Women's #5 Waterloo – 4:00 p.m.
Match 5 – Men's #3 Montreal vs. Men's #6 Carleton – 6:30 p.m.
Match 6 – Women's #3 Western vs. Women's #6 McMaster – 9:00 p.m.
 
Saturday October 15, 2016
 
Match 7 – Men's Number 1 seed vs Winner of Match 3 – 9:00 a.m.
Match 8 – Women's Number 1 seed vs. Winner of Match 4 – 12:00 p.m.
Match 9 – Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 5 – 3:00 p.m.
Match 10 – Winner of Match 2 vs Winner of Match 6 – 6:00 p.m.
 
Sunday October 16, 2016
Match 11 - The Men's Bronze Medal Match – Loser of Match 7 vs Loser of Match 9 – 9:00 a.m.
Match 12 – The Women's Bronze Medal Match - Loser of Match 8 vs Loser of Match 10 – 12:00 p.m.
Match 13 - The OUA Men's Championship Game – Winner of Match 7 vs Winner of Match 9 – 3:00 p.m. 
Match 14 - The OUA Women's Championship Game – Winner of Match 8 vs Winner of Match 10 – 6:00 p.m.

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