It was perhaps an expected result for the women’s volleyball team. Their young lineup was up against the powerful top-seeded 17-2 University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the first round, and their playoff run ended in three sets as experience overcame youth. What was unexpected, however, was how close it turned out to be.
The match started in predictable fashion, with the Gaels keeping it close but falling 25-17 in the first set. The Blues took the second set easily by a score of 25-11, and victory must have seemed near at hand.
With their season on the line, the Gaels dug deep and put forward a tremendous effort in the third set. They fell 27-25 in the end, but posed a significant challenge to the Blues’ dominance, and the performances from their young core of talent showed they have plenty of potential for the future.
Second-year middle hitter Christiane Taylor and rookie middle hitter Colleen Ogilvie led the Gaels offensively with seven and six kills, respectively. Second-year outside hitter Annika Green added six more kills and chipped in a team-high 15 digs. Second-year outside hitter Louise Hamill and rookies Elyssa Heller and Lorna Button also played their parts, recording a combined 12 kills. Experience proved crucial for Toronto: fifth-year outside hitter Anastasia Danilova led the team with a match-high 12 kills.
The exit concluded a transition year for the team, as they adjusted to both new head coach Joely Christian and several rookies playing key roles. Eleven of the 15 players on their roster were in their first or second year of eligibility, meaning the Gaels’ core should be intact for the next few years.
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