TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's volleyball team closed the calendar year in style with a 3-1 (25-20, 27-25, 22-25, 25-13) win over the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. 

"It's pretty awesome," said Bold head coach Dustin Reid. "Great for the girls. We knew today would be tougher. It was a lot tougher and we kind of hung in there."

"It's really good (to head into 2023 with a two-game winning streak)," said second-year outside hitter Scarlett Gingera.

After opening the match by winning the first two sets, a similar narrative to Friday night was being wrote as the Gryphons fell in straight sets. But they avoided a similar fate on Saturday as they rallied to take the third and force the Bold to four. But from there, the home side kicked it back in gear and dominated the fourth and final frame, by winning 25-13 to end 2022 on a high note.

"Our response in the fourth set was really outstanding," said Reid. "We want to win every fourth set, regardless of the scenario in the game. It was a really key moment in the match. We certainly didn't want to be up 2-0, then heading into the fifth set."

Julie Moore entered the day fifth in the OUA in kills and added 19 more to her name. Gingera chipped in 13 kills, while Ashley Ditchfield registered 10 of her own. Mary Rioflorido had a team-high 22 digs.

With the win, the Bold move to 5-4 and above the .500 mark, as they head into 2023 with 11 regular-season games remaining.

"I'm really thrilled for them. We can look back on the first half and this was a really satisfying win for us," said Reid. "The nine matches that we've played, we've played quite excellent in seven of them. I'm really thrilled about that. We're in a good position where if we play this way in the start of the second half, we can move up the table a little bit."

"We did what we had to here and we should be really proud of how we performed, especially in the last few weeks."

"I think every game we're improving and getting to know each other more as a team and coming together. It's been really good," added Moore.

The victory also improves the team's record on home court to 5-1, with their lone loss coming to the Queen's Gaels last Saturday.

"That was something that we struggled with last season — in the first half especially. To build on that expectation and build that comfort and confidence that this is a hard place to come and play is really great. That's a good feeling for sure," said Reid.

"It's been super fun," said Moore. "We definitely have our pregame routine that helps, with video and preparation before, and I think we play best here. So it's definitely important."

TMU's next two games will be away from home, as they begin the 2023 calendar year with a pair of games against the Trent Excalibur on Jan. 7 and 8. The Bold will be back at the Mattamy Athletic Centre the following weekend, as the Lakehead Thunderwolves pay a visit to Toronto.