The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team enters the 2025 OUA men’s volleyball playoffs as the third seed, beginning their quest for the Forsyth Cup this coming Friday (Feb. 21) in an OUA quarter-final showdown versus the sixth seeded Western Mustangs at Goldring Centre.
The Blues enter the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak, closing out the season with a 15-5 (W-L) record, tying with York and Queen’s but placing third via tiebreaker. Toronto’s efficient offence has been a significant factor in their success, as their .261 hitting percentage finished second best among all 13 OUA teams. Outside hitters Jayden Talsma and Hunter Arulpragasam led the way offensively, with both players exceeding 200 total kills on the season. The Blues will be looking to continue their momentum and find playoff success this season, previously falling to the Queen’s Gales in the quarter-final round last season. U of T have now qualified for the OUA quarter-finals in six consecutive seasons. They have advanced and earned qualification for the U SPORTS men’s volleyball national championship in three of the past five seasons.
Western comes into this meeting with a 10-10 record overall, defeating Guelph in the final game of the regular season to claim the sixth spot in the OUA standings. The regular season finale victory also snapped a six-game losing streak for the Mustangs as they struggled down the stretch. Third-year left side Cade Smith, the OUA leader in kills, will be a catalyst for the Mustangs offence. His 311 kills made him the only OUA player to eclipse the 300-kill mark this season.
Toronto and Western last played each other during the 2023-24 season in a series at Goldring Centre on Nov. 10 and 11. Each team claimed a four-set win in the back-to-back matches.
SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 21 | 7 p.m.
Goldring Centre
Live Stats
Watch
Tickets
2024-25 REGULAR SEASON STAT LEADERS
Toronto
Points: Jayden Talsma | 250.5 points
Kills: Jayden Talsma | 225 kills
Blocks: Luka Minic | 54 blocks
Assists: Michael Hickey | 669 assists
Digs: Michael Hickey | 144 digs
Western
Points: Cade Smith | 347 points
Kills: Cade Smith | 311 kills
Blocks: Jonah Millard | 56 blocks
Assists: Michael Jones | 760 assists
Digs: Andrew Kerkhoff | 215 digs
HISTORY
Last Five Games:
Nov. 11, 2023 | Western 3, Toronto 1
Nov. 10, 2023 | Toronto 3, Western 1
Jan. 29, 2023 | Western 3, Toronto 1
Jan. 28, 2023 | Western 3, Toronto 2
Feb. 1, 2020 | Toronto 3, Western 2
This article is shared as part of our Fair Dealing Policy. For the original article, please visit: https://varsityblues.ca/news/2025/2/18/mens-volleyball-playoff-preview-oua-mens-volleyball-quarter-final.aspx