The No. 7 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball team defeated the visiting Brock Badgers on Friday (Jan. 23) night inside Goldring Centre – Kimel Family Field House.

Set scores in the match were 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22.

The Blues were tested in the first of back-to-back matches versus the Badgers this weekend. With both teams combining for 119 total digs, several long rallies assessed U of T's stamina throughout the four-set contest. The Blues were up to the task, delivering an efficient attack that would result in 48 kills and a .201 hitting percentage.

Both reaching 20 points in the win, fifth-year outside hitter Maxime Gratton registered 16 kills, one solo block and a game-high four service aces, while fellow fifth-year outside hitter Hunter Arulpragasam recorded a game-high 18 kills and two aces. Registering 40 assists for a third consecutive match, fourth-year setter Michael Hickey continued his impressive run of orchestrating the Blues offence. Meanwhile, Arulpragasam and Hickey were all over the floor defensively as well tallying 16 and 15 digs, respectively.

For the Badgers, Devin Cooney led the way with 16 kills and one block assist, along with 10 digs. Kylar Code also hit double-digits with 10 kills, two aces, one solo block and two block assists.

The excitement inside Goldring Centre will continue tomorrow (Jan. 24) as the Blues and Badgers face-off once again. Toronto will be looking to claim an eighth straight victory as they currently sit at the top of the OUA standings with a 12-1 record. First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while the match is also streamed free on oua.tv.