By Sierra Rich

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s volleyball team matched up against the Waterloo University Warriors on Saturday night at the Mattamy Athletic Center (MAC) and lost in three straight sets.

Head coach Niko Rukavina was happy about the outcome of yesterday’s victory and was excited for today, “I was curious to see how we would respond after a late night and a long day,” he said.

Looking for another win TMU started the match on offense, two errors from the Warriors and an ace from third-year middle, Day Westell put the Bold in the driver’s seat early.

The Warriors didn’t light up with back-to-back kills but TMU returned with a kill from first-year right side Ross Buchanan and another from fourth-year outside Riley Donovan. Followed by multiple efforts from TMU, an error by the Bold gave Waterloo a small lead. 

However, with back-to-back errors TMU allowed Waterloo to creep closer to set point.

Striking again, Donovan stepped up for a kill and an ace, enabling TMU to chip at the lead.  

The blue and golds efforts were thwarted as Waterloo’s Daniel Nikashov left TMU scraping at chances. With TMU’s back-to-back errors, people were losing hope in the first set. A block from Waterloo pushed them to set point, and a kill to finish the first set 20-25 Waterloo. 

The Bold started the second set on defense, waiting for the moment to strike. But the moment comes too late, with Waterloo demanding a 4-point lead to start. However, first-year outside hitter William Gimbert denied the Warriors more and claimed a kill of his own, putting TMU on the board.

With two more blocks from TMU and errors from the Warrior, TMU were able to tie the set. Yet an attack error gave Waterloo the lead once again. Donovan and Buchanan were able to strike kills, allowing the Bold to follow closely behind. A block from Waterloo makes TMU aim to regroup with a timeout at 9-13. 

With a switch in the court, TMU subbed first-year middle Aidan Suttie for fourth-year middle Bobby Tang, hoping the change would lead to a victory. TMU followed up with two attack errors, prompting another substitution, switching Gimbert for first-year outside hitter Brayden Walker. This change seemed to help, with Westell claiming a kill and Donovan getting a block.

Another attack error from Waterloo, lessened the, forcing them to take a timeout at 16-18. Donovan comes out swinging with a kill and Westell and Walker gain a block, creeping closer to Waterloo. The Bold and Warriors traded kills from Walker and Waterloo’s third-year opposite Ian Kennedy.

Despite Bold’s return, Waterloo forced their way ahead with a kill and a block. TMU were left behind, pitching one last effort that started with a kill from Buchanan, but ultimately fumbled, giving Waterloo another set, finishing 21-25. 

With one win between Waterloo and victory, the Bold needed to step up their game  in the last set. Despite the desire to start strong, TMU fell behind scrambling against Waterloo.

The Bold called an early timeout at 1-5, hoping to refocus. Waterloo appeared unaffected and gained a block, but Buchanan came out strong too and gained a kill of his own. With Waterloo leading by a small margin, third-year setter Declan Dunn set Buchanan in hope of another kill. The outside hitter jumped at the chance and took another kill. 

TMU forced Waterloo into a timeout after back-to-back blocks by Suttie and Donovan. Aiming to kill, Buchanan scored an ace with precision, followed closely by a kill from Suttie. Gimbert jumped into the action with two kills of his own, allowing TMU to take the lead.

Sadly, Waterloo snatched the lead back with a block and kill. Buchanan and Westell attempted to save TMU with kills, but a receiving error allowed Waterloo to capitalize. 

Deciding another break was needed, TMU called a timeout at 16-20. The Warriors returned with an ace, but TMU acquired points on Waterloo service errors. Despite the help from errors, TMU weren’t able to capitalize with Waterloo getting a kill. TMU sadly finished the game 18-25 with a receiving error. 

Donovan spoke after the game, claiming that the team didn’t execute the game plan as well as they would’ve liked and still had some trouble on the serve receive. 

UP NEXT: The Bold will take a trip to Guelph Ont. to take on the University of Guelph Gryphons  Jan. 30 at the ​​Gryphon Centre. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m.