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Women’s volleyball loses to cross-town rivals

By Matt Ouellet

The Ryerson women’s volleyball team (13-5) lost a thrilling five set match (19-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 13-15) to the undefeated Toronto Varsity Blues (18-0) Friday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).

While the Rams played a strong game in the back court for the first two sets, Toronto remained one step ahead of them at the net, putting down some strong blocking.

The third set had Ryerson tweaking their strategy as they fought back from a 20-19 deficit to win it 25-23. This was the first time set loss for the Varsity Blues since their Nov.16 game against York.

“We made a couple of adjustments in the third,” Said Head Coach Dustin Reid, “in order to make us a bit more unpredictable in our blocking and defence for them, and it seemed to work a little.”

The momentum of the third set win, along with the enthusiasm of the larger than normal crowd, propelled the Rams to a fourth set win and a strong start to the fifth set. While players like Veronica Livingston don’t always notice an excited crowd, it’s always a game booster when they do.

“I love having everybody there, when you win a point and you celebrate, it’s like 10 times as loud than what you’re used to,” she said. “I like having the support.”

Ryerson started the fifth going 3-0, but the Varsity Blues caught up to the Rams to tie the set at seven a piece. From there, both teams traded off points until Toronto eventually took the match.

“When they had the ball on their side, I think they executed the contacts,” said Reid. “And they let their hitters be aggressive. We didn’t do that, that was the difference in the fifth set.”

Ryerson will play their last game of the regular season at the MAC Sunday afternoon against Ottawa.

 

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