Women’s Volleyball: A-
The team boasted strong regular season, finishing first in the East with a record of 17-2, and a CIS ranking of ninth overall. The Blues came up short in the finals, losing to McMaster, finishing as silver medalists. Caley Venn, Heather Bansley, Mila Miguel, Asya Danilova, and Michelle Wood were all named OUA allstars, while Kristine Drakich was named the Coach of the Year. Despite dropping a gold medal match to a strong McMaster squad, the Blues had a great year, on the right track to improve upon it next year.
Women’s Basketball: A
The 2007-2008 season was a great success for women’s basketball. With a season record of 18-4, the Blues cruised into the OUA Playoffs knocking off Carleton and rival York before losing in the finals against the McMaster Marauders. They still made it to the CIS tournament, the first time U of T has made this tournament in women’s basketball since 2002. While the Blues lost both matches, making an appearance shows strong team chemistry under Coach of the Year Michele Belanger.
Women’s Hockey: B+
The 6th ranked women’s hockey team had an improved season from the last. The Blues finished the regular term with a 20-5-1-1, second place five points behind the Laurier Golden Hawks. After winning the OUA bronze medal last year, the Blues improved, making it to the OUA finals this year dropping two games against Laurier. This was due to conference-leading scorer Janine Davies, awarded with her first All-Canadian award, while goaltender Stephanie Lockert was awarded her second. While the Blues strengthened one position, they have moved closer to an OUA gold .
Men’s Basketball: B
After a stellar season going 17-5, the Blues gained home court advantage for the OUA semi-finals against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Disappointment came when the Blues were defeated by Ottawa for the second year in a row, 63-60. On the positive, 5th year guard Michael Degiorgio and 3rd year guard Robert Paris were both named First Year All-Stars, while Coach Mike Katz won the first Coach of the Year award for U of T since Ken Olynyk’s win in ‘95. But with such a strong season, the Blues playoff run was a stinker.
Men’s Hockey: C
For the first time in seven years, men’s hockey were not Mid-East Champions, finishing 13-13-0-2, one point behind the Queens Golden Gaels. Throughout the year the Blues only showed fl ashes of dominance, with a lack of long-term runs of strong play. In the OUA playoffs, the Blues were defeated in the quarter finals by the Ottawa Gee-Gees in three games. U of T was in the process of a slight rebuilding as they lost captain Simon Barg and last years OUA MVP goaltender Ryan Grinnell. Key players stepped up to fill the void as the team’s second leading scorer Mark Heatley was named a First Team All Star, and forward Anthony Pallotta and defensemen Ed Snetsinger named the Second Team All Stars. After last season’s playoff success swept the 9th ranked team in the nation, the McGill Redmen, this season ended with a whimper as the Blues streak of Mid-East titles was halted in the improving, but weak, Mid-East division.
Men’s Volleyball: D+
With a season record of 7-13-9, men’s volleyball had a rough season, finishing eighth in the OUA. While facing contention in January, the Blues were unable to secure the last playoff spot. Still the team ended their season strong, defeating the Winsor Lancers, an upset of the fourth seed Western Mustangs. Stephen Kung was honoured with CIS second team All-Canadian, along with a first team All Star nod. Last year the Blues were eliminated from the OUA playoffs in the quarter finals by the McMaster Marauders, with six games under .500 and an absence from the playoffs a step in the wrong direction for men’s volleyball.
