Third-year outside hitter Alex Barnes notched a season-high 17 points in leading the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball team to a 3-1 (27-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-16) victory over the Waterloo Warriors on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13) at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

TORONTO STATS: Barnes recorded 14 kills, two aces and one block, while also adding four digs on the day. Rookie standout Evan Falardeau totaled 16 points off of 12 kills, three blocks and one ace, while fourth-year middle Austin Valjas had eight points off of five kills, two blocks and one ace.

Third-year setter Jordan Figueira tallied 38 assists, six digs and four points, with Nick Trewern adding a team-high 10 digs in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The two teams went back-and-forth to start the first set and were tied 8-8 in the early goings. The Blues then went on an 8-3 run to take a 16-11 lead into the technical timeout. The Warriors rallied back to even the match at 23-23, but a final kill from Towe sealed the Blues win, 27-25.

Waterloo got out to a 5-0 lead in the second set, but the Blues collected themselves and were up 16-12 at the break. Toronto held onto their four-point lead en route to a 25-21 second-set victory.

The Warriors built another early 5-0 lead in the third but, this time, did not relinquish the lead. Waterloo took a 16-8 lead into the technical timeout and forced a fourth set with the 25-18 win.

U of T bounced back and built and early 8-3 lead in the fourth set. After leading 16-10 at the tech timeout, a final kill from Barnes sealed the match, 25-16.

UP NEXT: The Blues host the Ryerson Rams next Sunday, January 20 at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. Opening serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS:
 

MVB: Toronto takes a 16-11 lead over the @WlooWarriors at the first set technical timeout!

WATCH Alex Barnes 'How about that smash?' pic.twitter.com/s3trWCuQyC

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 13, 2019

 

MVB: Toronto takes the first set 27-25 over the @WlooWarriors!

WATCH another Alex Barnes kill! pic.twitter.com/l4veVnblsv

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 13, 2019

 

MVB: Toronto takes a 16-12 lead over the @WlooWarriors at the second set tech timeout. The Blues have a 1-0 match lead.

WATCH this slo-mo Austin Valjas ace (and fist pump!)! pic.twitter.com/qqCNDpADbB

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 13, 2019

 

MVB: Toronto takes a 2-0 match lead over the @WlooWarriors, taking the second set 25-21!

WATCH this Evan Falardeau block! pic.twitter.com/6USKjpUO7f

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 13, 2019

 

MVB: Toronto takes a 16-10 lead into the fourth set tech timeout over the @WlooWarriors. The Blues have a 2-1 match lead.

WATCH some trickery from Jordan Figueira! pic.twitter.com/CWOI6Rtxjd

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 13, 2019

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