The Queen's Gaels defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues in four sets on Friday night on the road. Coming into the game, both teams stood at an 11-5 record, hungry to earn another win and move up in the OUA standings. Leading the Gaels offense was Pascale Galarneau (Health Sciences) with 17 kills and 2 service aces, while Claire Carter (Business) and Abigail McAlpine (Arts & Science) each contributed 12 kills. Kennedy Millin (Education) directed the offense with 49 assists and 1 service ace, while Christine Abu (Arts & Science) made 4 solo blocks.
Carter picked up the first kill of the game to get the Queen's momentum rolling. Despite this, the Varsity Blues were sharp on their aim of their floater serves, resulting in a Gaels timeout to slow the 12-7 Toronto lead. Lauren MacPhail (Arts & Science) and Galarneau both made service aces late in the first set, helping Queen's battle their way back into the game, closing the Toronto lead to 20-18. McAlpine was powerful from the back row, flying through to make deep court kills. Even with their late offensive surge, the Gaels were not able to overturn the Varsity Blues lead, falling 25-20 in the first set.
Toronto carried their momentum into the second set, picking up the first three points. The Gaels remained composed, tying the score back up at 6-6. Mid-set, Queen's earned their first lead of the set, 11-10, however slight. Although they trailed for most of the set, the Gaels were able to find and hold onto the lead when it mattered most. Carter was powerful on their kills, stunning the Toronto defense, and ultimately the Gaels were able to edge out Toronto 25-21.
With the game tied up one set each, intensity was high. The Gaels were dialed in, quickly tearing away on the scoreboard 13-6 after 6 unanswered points. Queen's was solid at the net, making 8 blocks as a team so far in the game. Middle Abu looked dominant in the third set and closed it out 25-19 with their third kill of the set for Queen's.
As the Gaels sat one set away from taking the game, the Varsity Blues cleaned up their defense and began to block out the Gaels' offense. However, six consecutive points from the Gaels, ending with an ace from Carter, forced a Toronto timeout, as Queen's led 17-12. The Gaels looked comfortable as they finished off the game with a kill from Carter, winning the set 25-20.
Up next, the Gaels will look forward to rematching against the Varsity Blues tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. Queen's improves their record to 12-5 and extends their win streak to 8 games as they approach playoffs.
