The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball team came front behind to defeat the Western Mustangs 3-2 (25-21, 12-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-8) in OUA quarter-final action on Saturday night (Mar. 2) in London, Ont.

PLAYOFF PUSH: The win marks Toronto's first playoff victory since 2004. They advance to the OUA Final Four and will take on the host Queen's Gaels in semi-final action next weekend in Kingston. Match date/time is TBD.  

TORONTO STATS: Fourth-year outside hitter Chris Towe put up a game-high 18 points off 15 kills, two aces and a block. He also recorded a game-high 10 digs as well.

Rookie outside hitter Evan Falardeau chipped in with 14 kills and two digs, while fourth-year middle Austin Valjas registered nine kills, an ace and block for 11.5 points in the match.

Third-year setter Jordan Figueira filled up the stat sheet, leading all players with 42 assists, and adding four kills, two aces, 1.5 blocks and eight digs in the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Both team exchanged blows in the opening set, but Toronto led 16-13 at the technical timeout. They maintained that advantage to take the opening set 25-21.

MVB: The Blues take the opening set 25-21 against the @WesternMustangs!

WATCH: Martin Kosic blasted a kill right down main street! WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE #weAreTO pic.twitter.com/nC202ReW6X

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) March 2, 2019

Western came out firing and jumped out to a 16-7 advantage at the second technical timeout. They did not look back and evened the match at 1-1, 25-12.

The third set was very even between the two squads. Western held a 16-15 lead at the technical timeout. With the set tied at 20-20, the Mustangs generated a 5-1 streak to win the set 25-21.

Toronto bounced back, starting the fourth set on a 5-1 run. Thanks to that, the Blues were up 16-11 at the technical timeout. The team rallied together for a 25-21 set victory to force a fifth set.

MVB: We are off to a fifth set!!! The Blues captured the fourth set 25-21 over the @WesternMustangs! Toronto's Chris Towe has an absolute cannon!!

WATCH how this QUARTER-FINAL match finishes: https://t.co/wEoeISuQLh pic.twitter.com/Oh6MsYF8XK

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) March 2, 2019

The Blues were firing on all cylinders recording 10 of the first 14 points in the set. It allowed them to complete the comeback victory, taking the fifth set 15-8.
 
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