By Paul Miazga
Everybody has a different way to prepare for the new millennium.
The Ryerson women’s volleyball team decided it didn’t want to enter the next century with a decade-long losing streak to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.
The Rams beat U of T for the first time in the ’90s on Saturday at the Ryerson Invitational Tournament.
Ryerson ended up disappointing fourth over the weekend tournament.
The small but mighty Rams fought hard to beat the Blues in three straight sets on Saturday. But inexperience and a lack of depth cost Ryerson a chance to finish ahead of other conference rivals at the five-team tournament.
“We should’ve beaten Queen’s and amen a game from York,” head coach Arif Nathoo said after Ryerson’s straight-sets loss to Queen’s on Sunday morning. The Rams were also swept by tournament champion York and runner-up Guelph in straight sets.
“We have to do a lot of work on blocking and defence in practice, especially digs,” Nathoo said. “We have to get more aggressive; we have to get that killer instinct. It was there against the U of T.”
The Rams do have some bright spots to focus on, however.
Rookie Elizabeth Reid provided much-needed spark on the court throughout the tournament, registering a team-high 29 kills and six blocks.
The Rams’ defensive play was generally timid though, especially against tougher opponents.
Ryerson will play this weekend at the McMaster University Tourney Oct. 8-10, and then at Queen’s University on Nov. 7 before hosting York Nov. 9.
Leave a Reply