The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's volleyball team fell 3-1 versus the Queen's Gaels on Friday (Feb. 6) night inside Goldring Centre – Kimel Family Field House.

Set scores in the match were 25-20, 21-25, 19-25, 20-25.

Toronto came out on fire in front of the home crowd, delivering on an efficient attack with a .417 hitting percentage in the first set. Leading the charge was second-year outside hitter Julia Liu who recorded four of the last five kills in the Blues opening set victory. As the teams swapped sides, the visitors found their form and action shifted to more back-and-forth rallies. As points continued to be extended, the Gaels found a number of bounces off the net shift momentum their way, allowing the visitors to capture the second and third. Looking for a response, it was back-to-back blocks from fourth-year middle Thea Ziesmann that ignited the Blues midway through the fourth set. However, the Queen's defensive effort would thwart the Blues comeback attempt, reverting the remainder of the match to the long rallies that favoured the Gaels.

Offensively, fourth-year outside hitter Olivia Zhu topped the Blues with 15 total points from 13 kills, one service ace and one solo block. Liu finished the night with 13 kills and one solo block, while third-year outside hitter Giulia Chimilovski added 13 kills and one service ace to round out double-digit scorers. First-year setter Marina Gustke tallied 34 assists.

Defensively, third-year libero Delaney Watson continued to add to her impressive second half of the season, tying Chimilovski with a team-high 13 digs.

For Queen's, four players reached double-digit points in the win led by a game-high 20 from Pascale Galarneau. The veteran outside hitter totaled 17 kills, two aces and one solo block. Setter Kennedy Millin and libero Holly Biasi also impressed with 49 assists and 22 digs, respectively.

The rival Blues and Gaels will have a rematch tomorrow (Feb. 7) afternoon inside Goldring Centre. First serve is set for 2 p.m. Tickets for Varsity Blues games are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while all U of T home volleyball matches are streamed live on oua.tv.