Ahead 24-19 in the first set of the league semifinal match against McMaster, U of T was where it had been all season: in control.
“We came out excited, we were playing aggressively, and we were strong from the start,” said coach Kristine Drakich.
“And then the net broke.”
Before the Blues (17-2) could cement a dominating opening set in the Ontario University Athletic Women’s Volleyball final four, the court net malfunctioned, causing a 20-minute delay.
By the time the game resumed, U of T’s killer instinct, a trademark of a program that has won four of the last six OUA titles, had dissipated. The Blues made four unforced errors, and U of T allowed the Marauders to close in before holding them off to win 27-25.
But the damage was done, and McMaster (15-4) would win the next three sets to upset the Blues 3-1 (27-25, 20-25, 12-25, 18-25).
“We never really recovered after that,” Drakich said. “It was very sad, and very disappointing.
“Looking back on video, the net breaking definitely had an impact. We did not manage that 20-minute delay appropriately. Collectively and individually, we weren’t ready to play.
“In the second set, we never really recovered. We played scattered and unfocused. It wasn’t from lack of trying, but the concentration wasn’t there. We didn’t do what we do best, which is play collectively. We no longer played as a unit, but as desperate individuals.
“It’s not to say McMaster didn’t play well, but really, we beat ourselves.
“We had overcome so many challenges this year, so it’s a bit strange that [the net breaking unravelled] us as it did. The game definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”
In the bronze medal match, the Blues were up against Western (18-1), who defeated them 3-1 (25-16, 17-25, 20-25, 20-25).
“We played much better, our sense of desire was there,” Drakich said. “But we had to take baby steps, and not giant ones. Western played better than we did.”
Though they ended on a sour note, the Blues did dispatch Queen’s 3-1 in the quarter finals Feb. 16. U of T also boasted four OUA East all-stars: Anastasia Danilova and Mila Miguel on the first team, and Heather Bansley and Michelle Wood on the second. Miguel also received the award of merit.
For Men’s Volleyball (9-12), inexperience came back to bite the Blues as hosts McMaster (18-7) defeated U of T 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 29-27) in their quarterfinal meeting Feb. 15.
The third-seeded Mauraders would go on to the OUA finals, finishing second to top-seed Queen’s (21-3).
The post-season meeting with McMaster was the third of the year for the sixth-seeded Blues, and while Coach Jeff Chung called it their best effort against the Mauraders, U of T’s youthful indiscretions kept the Blues from charming their way to the semis.
“We took too many mental breaks, hit too many balls out-of-bounds and lost our momentum in the fourth set,” Chung said. “We were up five points, but lost our focus when passing. That gave us out at the end.”
Chung cited the strong blocking defence of McMaster, but hitters Brandon Peel and Steven Kung still netted 20 and 19 kills, respectively.
“They, along with James MacKay, played great games,” Chung said.
Peel, who will be leaving the Blues this year, was named a first team all-star, and led the league with his 5.42 points per game average.
“His leadership, experience and scoring power will be missed greatly,” Chung said. “He’s done such a great job at U of T.
“But there’s a lot going for this team. Against some strong competition, we had our highlights, and we’re returning 80 per cent of the team next year.”
