The Queen’s Gaels swept the Toronto Varsity Blues in three straight sets on Saturday afternoon on the road. Coming off last night’s four-set win, the Gaels brought intensity into today’s game early. Queen’s improves their record to 13-5 and extends their winning streak to nine games, as they near the end of the regular season. Leading the Gaels’ offense was Claire Carter (Business) with 15 kills, 1 service ace, and 10 digs, while Abigail McAlpine (Arts & Science) contributed 10 kills and 3 solo blocks. Setter Kennedy Millin (Education) not only orchestrated the offense with 29 assists, but was a strategic opportunist, earning 5 kills as a setter. Libero Holly Biasi (Arts & Science) made 8 digs for the Gaels defensively.
In the same fashion as last night, Carter picked up the first kill of the game, quickly followed up by a kill from McAlpine. Middle Christine Abu (Arts & Science) connected with back-to-back low sets from Millin to make two kills, followed by a setter dump by Millin that caught the Varsity Blues off guard. The Gaels had their offensive momentum rolling, as they found a 13-8 lead in the first set. Queen’s continued to surge at the net, earning 7 out of 8 consecutive points, as setter Millin picked up their third kill of the set. The Gaels took the first set 25-19 to go up by one in the game.
Queen’s took the first four points in the second set, as the Varsity Blues struggled with their attack errors. Toronto took a timeout, but that did not stop the Gaels from tearing away on the scoreboard, finding a large 13-3 lead. The away team continued to look dominant, as Carter flew through from the back row to make a huge kill, bringing the score to 17-6. Third year middle Sophia Henson (Arts & Science) subbed into the game to make a quick kill, thrilling the Queen’s bench. The Gaels were able to close out the second set 25-10 with Millin earning the final point on their fifth kill of the game.
After two strong sets from the Gaels, the away team quickly built up a 7-2 lead. Despite this, Toronto responded, matching Queen’s and tying the score back up at 16-16. The Gaels called a timeout to regroup, but that did not stop the Varsity Blues earning an 18-16 lead. As Toronto began to distance themselves on the scoreboard late in the set, it looked like the game would be extended to a fourth set. Queen’s remained steady and composed, with a late offensive push bringing them the 26-24 win in extra points.
Up next, the Gaels will face off against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday night on the road. That will be the last weekend of regular season games for Queen’s before the post-season begins.
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