By Nashra Syed
The Rams men’s volleyball team fell in five sets against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues (U of T) on Feb. 19 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).
The first set started off with a powerful serve from the Varsity Blues, resulting in an ace. The Rams quickly tied the set with a kill from second-year middle Alex King, but the effort was greeted with a comeback from U of T.
Despite a great effort from first-year outside hitter Nicholas Hudson, the Varsity Blues brought the score up to 10-3 before a kill from King stopped their run.
“To come into our own gym against one of the top teams in the league and dominate the way we did in a couple of those sets, it just means the world for us in the future and the development,” said Rams interim head coach Niko Rukavina.
Two blocks by third-year Omari Young and a kill by King saw them narrowly trail the Blues 7-10. Rams setter Saad Shaikh and first-year Kai Higuchi worked together to cut the lead to 10-12.
Prior to the first technical timeout of the set, the Rams trailed the Varsity Blues 10-16. A service error by the vistors resulted in consistent services for the Rams by Young, winning the next four points and taking the score to 15-17 forcing U of T into a timeout.
A kill by Rams outside hitter Lucas Yang, a service error by the Blues and a block by the home side pushed it to 20-21. With a score of 23-24 the Varsity Blues decided to take another timeout.
The Rams were able to tie the set 24-24, before losing the point, but knotting it up right away.
A second timeout taken by the Rams saw them at a 28-29 disadvantage. However, they mounted a comeback, taking the opening set 32-30.
Saturday’s second set was off to a strong start with the teams trading kills. A block by Higuchi wasn’t enough for the Rams to take a lead in this set with the score at 11-16. With the Rams trailing, the set was able to turn in favour of U of T, who took it 25-16.
A service error by the visitors kicked off a lead for the Rams at the beginning of the third set. Prior to a timeout taken by the Rams, the Varsity Blues were able to take an 8-7 lead.
The timeout seemed to work, as they once again regained their lead. A denial from the Rams put them again with a 14-10 lead.
The Rams would close out the third set with a win, but drop the fourth. This meant the game was heading to a deciding fifth set once again.
Saturday’s fifth set started with a serve by Young and a point to the Blues. The Rams were able to take a 2-1 lead after a service error from the Blues and a block by King. The Rams tied the set at 6-6 with great play from Shaikh and Hudson.
The set was tied at 10 apiece after a service error from the Blues and 11-11 after a tip of the ball from King. But U of T led 13-11 when a timeout was called by the Rams.
The Rams Put their best foot forward but couldn’t buy a win against the Blues this weekend, with the last set ending at 11-15.
“We’re definitely going to take some time to recover, it’s been a long couple of weekends,” said Rukavina.
UP NEXT: The Rams will play the Trent Excalibur on March 2 at the MAC. First serve flies at 8 p.m.
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