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The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball team dropped a narrow 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 16-25, 23-25) decision to the No. 8 nationally ranked Queen's Gaels on Friday, January 29 at Goldring Centre.

With the loss, the Blues drop to 8-7 but remain in fourth place in the OUA standings, while the Gaels improve to 11-3 and sit tied for second place.

Fifth-year setter Aleksa Miladinovic led Toronto with 44 assists, 14 digs, three kills, two aces and one block on the night. Third-year right side hitter Will Colucci led all players with 19 points on 18 kills and one block, while also adding 13 digs.

Veteran middle Nate Virgo had 10 kills, three blocks and eight digs, while team captain Aidan Haslett recorded eight kills and seven digs. Zia Karim chipped in with four kills, three blocks and one ace, while rookie libero Andrew Kos had 14 digs in the loss.

Down 9-2 early in the first set, the Blues rallied and brought the game within four (16-12) at the technical timeout. Toronto came within one (23-22), but a final long rally ended in favour of the Gaels, 25-23.  

The Blues bounced back with a dominant second set, leading Queen's 16-10 at the break.  U of T didn't stop there, going on an 8-2 run en route to a 25-14 second set victory.

After the Gaels took a 2-1 match lead with a 25-16 third set win, the Blues rallied and held an early 6-0 lead in the fourth set. Queen's bounced back though, taking a 16-13 lead at the break en route to the 25-23 fourth set win.

Marko Dakic led the Gaels with 18 kills and nine digs, while Mike Tomlinson had 14 kills and 12 digs in the win.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow night (Jan. 30) as they host the RMC Paladins at Goldring Centre. Opening serve is set for 8 p.m.

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