Box Score In another five-set thriller the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball team upset the No. 1 McMaster Marauders Saturday afternoon (Feb. 13) in Hamilton, handing the country's best their first loss of the season. Set scores were 24-26, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 15-10.

The Varsity Blues kept things close with the Marauders early dropping a tough first set, but nice work from third-year right side Will Colucci and second-year left side Alex Ferris allowed the Blues to even the match after two.

After falling behind once again after a tough third set, it was Colucci leading the way for the Blues in the match-tying fourth set using his strength on the outside to find perfect angles for strong kills while powering through several McMaster block attempts.

And in the fifth, Toronto would not be stopped as the Marauders faltered down the stretch with several errors while Colucci, Ferris, and first-year outside hitter Ken Dobson capped off the incredible upset.

Colucci led all players with an outstanding 26 point performance collecting 23 kills, one blocked shot, and four block assists. Ferris followed that with 13 points on 11 kills and two service aces.

Setter Aleksa Miladinovic and libero Andrew Kos also chipped with all-star performances for their positions. Miladinovic finished the five-set contest with 46 assists along with eight digs, one service ace, and one block assist while Kos fought for 15 digs, his second-highest dig total of the season.

For McMaster, four players reached double-digit kills but 18 service errors including several down the stretch cost the Marauders their shot at a perfect season. First-year Craig Ireland led the way in the loss with 16 kills while middle Peter Khodkevych had 12 kills, two block, and four block assists.

With the victory, the Varsity Blues move ever closer to clinching an OUA playoff berth and currently sit alone in fourth place in the OUA with a 10-7 record. Toronto will now return home to the Goldring Centre where they will end their season on a three-game home stand. First up, the visiting Guelph Gryphons tomorrow afternoon (Feb. 14). Action is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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