The Toronto Varsity Blues defeated the Warriors in four sets on Friday night at the PAC in the OUA semifinals to punch their ticket to the OUA gold medal match and U SPORTS Championship.
Waterloo battled every step of the way but just couldn't come away with the big points when needed. Waterloo will now play for OUA bronze today at 3pm against Western while Toronto will take on Ryerson for gold at 6pm.
After Toronto took the opening set 25-18, Waterloo bounced back with an incredible effort in the second set winning it in dominating fashion, 25-11.
The Warriors appeared to have all the momentum heading into the pivotal third set but the Varsity Blues made the necessary adjustments to tilt the match back in their favour, claiming the set 25-13 to take a 2-1 lead.
The fourth set was a the most tightly contested with Waterloo jumping out to a 8-5 lead before the Varsity Blues registered five of the next seven points to even the score at 10 a piece.
The set would continue to go back and forth until opened up a three point lead at 24-21 with
Claire Mackenzie (Vancouver/) at the service line. The Warriors would use the fans to their advantage earning the next two points forcing Toronto to a timeout but the Blues were able to put away the match as point leader Alina Dormann put away the match with the kill.
Dormann led all players with 24 points in the match on 20 kills, five blocks and one service ace. For her efforts she was named the Blues player of the match while Mackenzie earned the recognition for her strong match with the black and gold.
Mackenzie put down 12 kills while adding two service aces and 11 digs. Matching Mackenzie's output was OUA west rookie of the year
Sarah Glynn (Fredericton/) with 12 kills of her own.
Ella Stewart (Ottawa/) had a strong match with six kills up the middle while
Brooklyn Gallant (Cambridge/) put down three while adding four blocks and six digs.
Defensively,
Sarah Remedios (Ajax/) was outstanding with 18 digs in the match while
Claire Gagne (Cambridge/) finished the match with 25 assists and added three service aces, two blocks and 11digs.
The Warriors will look to win their 19th game of the season when they go for bronze on Saturday against Western who also lost in four sets to Ryerson in the other semifinal match.
