TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's volleyball team defeated the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins 3-1 (26-24, 25-20, 21-25, 25-13) in their final matchup of the 2025-26 season.
The evening also marked senior night, as the Bold recognized the contributions of seniors Bobby Tang and Gavin Elzinga.
Tang has been part of the program since 2023, appearing in more than 100 sets over three seasons. He has been a steady and consistent presence on the team, and his impact has been felt in all areas of the game.
"His contribution has been not only on the court, but off the court as well," said Declan Dunn. "Every single one of the guys looks up to him. He's wise. He's older than most of us, but he sets an example for what this program should be like going forward."
Head coach Niko Rukavina echoed that sentiment.
"I can't say enough about Bobby," said Rukavina. "Bobby represents what a varsity athlete and an OUA player should be. All I would like is for this next generation to take a little bit of Bobby Tang, because he always puts the team first."
Elzinga, who joined the Bold for just one season, also left a lasting impression through his energy and positivity.
"Gavin has only been here for a year, but the joy and positivity he exhibits on the court are what he's leaving this team with going forward," said Dunn.
Tang also spoke highly of Elzinga, as the two first met while they were part of the Sheridan College volleyball program before reuniting at TMU.
"He just brings some sort of joy that I missed ever since my last year I shared with him, which was about three years ago," said Tang. "He brings joy every day that makes me enjoy the process that much more, and it's been such an invaluable piece."
The opening set saw the Bold fall behind early before battling their way back. Tied at 5-5, a series of service errors and miscommunication allowed the Paladins to build a six-point lead, which they maintained until the 17-11 mark.
With momentum slipping away, TMU regrouped. Kills from Tang, Riley Donovan and Elzinga, along with a service ace from Tang, sparked a rally that erased the deficit. A kill from William Gimbert eventually tied the score at 20-20.
RMC pushed the set beyond 25 points, but the Bold held firm and claimed the opener 26-24.
The second set remained tight through the early stages before TMU created some separation. A kill from Aidan Suttie on the second touch gave the Bold a two-point edge, and they maintained a small cushion throughout the frame.
Strong offensive performances from Donovan, Gimbert, Elzinga and Tang — paired with well-placed sets from Dunn — kept the Bold in control. Four late errors from RMC allowed TMU to extend the lead, and a service ace from Gimbert sealed the set 25-20.
The Paladins responded in the third set, jumping out to an early lead and maintaining control for much of the frame. TMU briefly pulled ahead 16-15 after a Gimbert kill, but RMC regained momentum and took the set 25-21.
"We talked at the start of the game about keeping a level head and staying focused throughout the match," said Rukavina. "I think we lost a little bit of that in the third set."
The Bold bounced back quickly in the fourth. Donovan opened the set with a service ace, and TMU steadily built a commanding lead. Another ace from Suttie and a balanced offensive effort pushed the advantage to five points.
A big block from Tang extended the lead to 17-11, and the Bold never looked back. TMU allowed just two more RMC points before closing out the match 25-13.
The win marked a strong finish to the season for the Bold, who capped off the weekend with a pair of victories over the Paladins.
"It's been a tough season, but it's taken a lot of grit and determination to get to where we are," said Dunn. "A lot of our guys went down with injuries, so it's not what we expected our lineup to be, but how we finished the season shows what kind of team we have."
Looking ahead, there is optimism surrounding the program's future.
"I'm super pumped," said Elzinga. "This team has so many young people, and in the next three or four years, TMU is going to be known, and I'm excited to see that."
Rukavina shares that enthusiasm.
"I'm excited about the future," said Rukavina. "The seven athletes I brought in this year make up my first full recruiting class as head coach, so I'm excited to see them grow and flourish. Now adding some pieces and replacing the guys who moved on is the next part of my job, and I'm ready to get to work."
