TORONTO – The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) men’s volleyball team dropped their second straight contest on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Guelph Gryphons in four sets. The Bold (6-8) are still firmly within the playoff picture despite the weekend’s setbacks.
“We didn’t get the job done (today),” said head coach Niko’s Rukavina. “We have to have a playoff mentality moving forward”.
Following the five-set thriller last night, the Bold and Gryphons didn’t need much feeling out. The first set picked right where last night’s action left off. The two sides split the first twelve points evenly. It wasn’t until a series of kills by Alex King, Lyam Krapp and Jacob Walker that the Bold were able to gain control of the set. TMU closed out the first set 25-18, finishing on a 10-4 run.
“I was pretty impressed with the guys to be able to turn it around, but winning one set is not the same as continuing it,” said Rukavina “We showed a little bit there, but we need to show a little bit more.”
Back to back aces from Bobby Tang got the Bold off to a good start in the second set. Despite the strong start, the Gryphons stuck around. Similar to the first set (and the entire weekend), it took time for either side to find separation. The Bold cracked first, as a pair of attacking errors helped hand the Gryphons a 25-23 set victory.
Not much had separated the two sides through seven sets of action this weekend. But the third set was different. As they had previously, the teams traded the first dozen points equally. However, behind a couple of strong service games, and a solid attacking streak, the Gryphons began to slowly build a lead. The lead swelled to ten before the Bold could mount a response. It came too late, as the Gryphons took a 25-13 set victory, putting them a set away from an important weekend sweep.
Facing the prospect of a sweep seemed to reinvigorate the Bold, as the teams again traded points in a tightly contested start to the fourth. The Bold had their opportunities to take control of the set, but each time something went wrong. Between missed passes or service errors, the Bold saw their chance to equalize slowly slip away. The Gryphons secured the sweep as they captured the fourth set 25-21.
The Bold are back in action next weekend, traveling to take on the Nipissing Lakers.
“We’re gonna have to come in pretty aggressive,” said Rukavina. “Every game from now on is a playoff game in our minds.”
First serve on Friday flies at 8 p.m. while the Saturday matinee is scheduled for 4 p.m. Catch select games streaming on OUA.tv.
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