GAELS DRAW FIRST BLOOD IN FINAL

TORONTO - A packed house at Ryerson's Kerr Hall Gym left disappointed as the Rams fell 3-0 to Queen's University (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) in game one of the Ontario University Athletics men's volleyball championship.

The gym was rocking but the Rams were tentative to start the match and Queen's took a quick 16-10 advantage with solid blocking. The Rams mounted a late comeback with the serving of Anton Hauser, but the Golden Gaels sided-out to take the set.

Again in the second and third sets, the Rams fell behind 16-10 at the second technical timeouts. Each time they mounted strong comebacks that weren't enough.

On the final point of the game, Queen's Dan McCrae hit the ball into the chest of Ryan Vandenburg and it sailed out of bounds.

The Rams never seemed to find a rhythm in the game and substitutions didn't provide the needed lift. Queen's played excellent defence throughout the match led by OUA libero of the year Steve Willis.

Game two of the series is now must-win for the Rams. A free fan bus will leave from Gould and Victoria st. at 2:30 p.m. to take Ryerson to the game. The university will be paying for the full-coach bus and admission into the Queen's gym. The bus is expected to return to Ryerson at about midnight. If you would like to get on board save your seat by emailing gorams@ryerson.ca

If necessary, game three of the series will be back at Ryerson on Saturday at 4 p.m. Admission will be free for fans wearing Rams blue or gold.

(Source: Adam Button, Ryerson Sports Information.)

(Photo: Devon Miller serves one up for the victorious Golden Gaels. Photo by Jeff Chan.)