TORONTO Ont. (January 27, 2017) – The Gaels were defeated 3-2 by the Ryerson Rams on Friday night in Toronto. The scores of the sets finished 21-25, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-22 and 15-12 with the Gaels winning the first two sets.

GAME FLOW
In the first set the tricolour started the game off strong, holding their own with the Rams. With tough serves from Joel Rudd (Cambridge, Ont.) the Gaels took the lead 9-8.  Zac Hutcheson (Kingston, Ont.) kept the momentum up throughout the match, contributing strong kills and serves. It was Markus Trence (Orangeville, Ont.) who had the set winning kill, putting the Gaels up 1-0.

The second set began with a small lead for the Rams who lead for most of the set. Holding Ryerson to 22 points, Will Hoey (Brampton, Ont.) served seven points for the Gaels who took the lead, making the score 23-22. Queen's finished off the set with two kills for Austin Payne (Kingston, Ont.) and held a 2-0 lead.

With the Gaels up with two sets, the men played the third set neck-and-neck with the Rams. Ryerson managed to pull ahead and took the set 25-20.

The fourth set of the game was another even match, keeping the score nearly tied until the final three plays. Markus Trence (Orangeville, Ont.) struck six kills in the set, proving to be an influential player on the court. The Gaels lost the set 25-22, sending them into the fifth and deciding set.

In the final set, the Gaels struggled to finish on attacking opportunities resulting in the Rams taking the lead. The tricolour fought their way through the set, taking the score to a close 12-11 for Ryerson. The Rams held on and took the set and the match.

BY THE NUMBERS
57 – fifty-seven kills for the Gaels this game
0.123 –  total kill percentage against the Rams

UP NEXT
The Gaels are staying in Toronto to play against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday January 28^th at the Goldring Centre. Watch the game live on OUA.tv.