The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's water polo team were back into action for the first time in 2017 claiming four strong victories at the U of T Fall Classic tournament this past weekend (Sept. 30, Oct. 1).
 
In the first match, the Blues jumped in front of the Carleton Ravens 3-1 in the first quarter, but a 5-0 second quarter put the game out of reach for the visitors. Captain Ali Kraft (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), assistant captain Ana Miroslavic (Toronto) and freshman Caitlyn Tiedje (Calgary, Alta.) each scored twice. Kassie Fraser (Vancouver, B.C.), Rhianna Wood (Calgary, Alta.) and Maddie Hertz (Miami, Fla.) added one apiece in the 9-2 win.
 
Two hours later the Blues were back in the water facing the Queens Gaels. U of T once again went out in front with a 2-0 first quarter but again, as in the first game, it was a mammoth 6-1 second quarter that sealed the 11-2 win.  Fraser led the way with a hat trick. Freshman Anya Mysak (Vancouver, B.C.) and Tiedje each scored twice with singles going to Hertz, Kraft, Miroslavic and Wood.
 
Last year's silver medalists, McMaster Marauders, were next up and this time the Blues put a huge first quarter together, leading 6-0 after the opening period, en route to a 12-2 victory. Kraft paced Toronto with four goals. Miroslavic and Tiedje both recorded hat tricks, while Mysak and Emily Kelvin-Davies (Vancouver, B.C.) chipped in with one goal each.
 
The final game of the weekend was a rematch with Queens. Head coach George Gross, Jr. utilized his bench, providing game experience for a young core, and the Blues recorded a 9-5 win. Kraft, Mysak and Tiedje netted two goals apiece, while Fraser, Hertz and Kelvin-Davies added singles.

The Blues will next travel to Carleton on October 14-15 for the Ravens Invitational as the National Collegiate Water Polo (NCWP) schedule gets into full swing.

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