Early momentum squashed by No. 3 Blues

Box Score TORONTO - The Rams women's volleyball team demonstrated confidence and control on the court Saturday night against the Toronto Varsity Blues, despite a 3-1 loss at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The team fought through four sets and showcased both young talent and veteran maturity on home court.

Rams Mikayla Sherriffs opened the scoring with a powerful kill to set the tone, and it carried through the set. Consistent kills and blocks brought the team a belief in themselves that hadn't been there all season, and the Rams took the first set 25-20.

Rams are up 16-6 at the technical timeout against the No.3 Blues????

WATCH: Veltman with the HUGE block going into the break??#weRrams pic.twitter.com/GNM4mLHx74
— Rams WVB (@RamsWVB) February 19, 2022

The second set started off evenly with back-and-forth lead changes, and saw longer rallies as both teams flexed their blocking abilities. At the technical timeout, the Rams were down by five, and a solid dump from Alicia Lam and a plethora of digs from Mary Ann Rioflorido made a comeback campaign look easy. Toronto ended up winning the set 25-20, but not without a fight.

Still in it!

The Rams trail 11-16 halfway through the second set.

WATCH: Zoe Kuck with the kill??#weRrams pic.twitter.com/z5RIxYNIQ6
— Rams WVB (@RamsWVB) February 19, 2022

Two early kills from Sherriffs gave the Rams a head start in the third, but the Blues kept the score tight. The team kept pushing, asserting their dominance on home court to lead by four at the technical timeout. After a tied game at 25 points, the Blues won the set.

We lead 16-12 halfway through the third set?? Lets keep it rolling?

WATCH: Alicia Lam with the dump!#weRrams pic.twitter.com/oJHY8a6cxk
— Rams WVB (@RamsWVB) February 20, 2022

The fourth saw the Rams trailing behind Toronto for most of the set. Despite a tough score, the team put in a huge effort and played one of their best games of the season, even through the 25-15 last set.

We once again trail 11-16 at the fourth set technical timeout but we're still in it to win it??

WATCH: Mikayla Sherriffs with the block!#weRrams pic.twitter.com/sIdxR5Rrqe
— Rams WVB (@RamsWVB) February 20, 2022

Head coach Dustin Reid says he's proud of the team for their work and ability to maintain composure tonight, in every set.

"They played well in the first set and took control while Toronto was struggling a little bit," Reid says, "but I thought their best plays were in the third, when the Blues were at their best and we kept an even score."

The Rams will be playing back at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Wednesday, March 2 to face the Trent Excalibur. You can tune in at OUA.tv or support them live, and first serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets are available online, and health and safety precautions will be in place.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Mikayla Sherriffs: OH; 5' 9"; 2

#5 Mary Rioflorido: LIB; 5' 4"; 1

#10 Alicia Lam: S; 5' 8"; 2

#15 Zoe Kuck: OH; 5' 9"; 1

Players Mentioned

#4 Mikayla Sherriffs
: 5' 9"; 2
: OH

#5 Mary Rioflorido
: 5' 4"; 1
: LIB

#10 Alicia Lam
: 5' 8"; 2
: S

#15 Zoe Kuck
: 5' 9"; 1
: OH