The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's volleyball team earned a straight sets home opener victory over the Nipissing Lakers on Friday (Nov. 21) night inside the Goldring Centre – Kimel Family Field House.

Set scores in the match were 25-18, 25-21, 25-19.

After six straight road matches to begin their regular season campaign, the Varsity Blues took advantage of the home crowd as they carried momentum through all three sets. The dynamic duo of second-year outside hitter Julia Liu and fourth-year outside hitter Olivia Zhu served as the spark for Toronto's strong opening set, combining for nine of the Blues 11 first set kills. In the second frame it was second-year middle Marie Boulerice who provided a boost for U of T, entering the match as a substitute before recording four kills to allow the Blues to draw even 16-16 with the Lakers after trailing by as much as eight at one point. Toronto would carry on from there, not only claiming the second set in comeback fashion, but also taking the third with a stifling defensive effort which did not allow a single Lakers player to reach double-digit kills on the night.

Liu would finish the night with a team-high 16 points from 13 kills, two aces and one solo block. The second-year standout also showcased her defensive abilities with a team-high eight digs. Zhu also reached double-digit points in the win tallying 10 kills and one solo block. First-year setter Marina Gustke recorded 24 assists in pacing the Blues offensive attack throughout the three sets.

For the Lakers, Oceane Raymond-Leduc led the team with 13 points from nine kills and an impressive night at the service line with four aces.

U of T and Nipissing will be right back on the court tomorrow (Nov. 22) afternoon. First serve for the match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tickets for Varsity Blues home games are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while all U of T home volleyball matches are streamed live and on-demand via oua.tv.