The host University of Toronto fell to the Laval Rouge et Or in the Jan. 6 final of the 2008 Varsity Blues National Invitational women’s volleyball tournament (NIT) in a tightly contested match 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 11-15) at the Athletic Centre.

Laval completed the three-day round-robin tournament undefeated (5-0). The 10th ranked Blues finished in second place with a record of 3-2, just ahead of the west representative Brandon Bobcats. The University of Western Ontario Mustangs, the St. Francis Xavier Garneau Élans and the York University Lions rounded out the six-team field.

In a game of offensive spurts and great defensive digs, the Rouge et Or managed to swing the momentum their way in the fifth and final set to slip past the host team 15-11 to claim the tournament title.

Laval’s Julie Rodrigue was named the tournament’s most valuable player and led her squad with 17 kills and 15 digs against the Blues. Rodrigue’s teammate and tournament all-star Julie Savoie also had 17 kills and 13 digs in the win.

Fifth-year hitter Asya Danilova led all Blues attackers with 14 kills and 12 digs. Caley Venn added 12 kills, while Mila Miguel and Heather Bansley each tallied nine. Third-year libero Michelle Wood was named to the tournament all-star team and led all players with 27 digs on the day.