Summary
Toronto has a big 2026-2027 volleyball season ahead. The Varsity Blues open against RMC on October 30-31, and they’ll host the 2027 U SPORTS women’s national championship. With familiar players back and new faces joining the lineup, it’s a team worth following, especially if you’re an Ontario athlete wondering what university volleyball could look like for you.
Why this season is different for Toronto
Toronto finished the 2025-2026 OUA regular season 11-9 and seventh in the conference, then exited in the quarter-finals. The university’s October 27 season preview says the school will host the March 2027 U SPORTS women’s volleyball championship and expects to participate as host.
Hosting nationals makes this an exciting year for Toronto. But it doesn’t mean the team can skip the hard work of OUA play. They’ll still need to find their rhythm and improve as the season goes on.
Who’s back, and who’s new?
Toronto’s listed returnees include libero Delaney Watson, outside hitters Olivia Zhu, Julia Liu and Giulia Chimilovski, and middle Thea Ziesmann. New additions highlighted in the preview include outside hitter Agata Colombo and middle Elizabeth Soboleva. Setter Marina Gustke, named in Toronto’s preview as the 2026 OUA Rookie of the Year and a U SPORTS all-rookie selection, adds a younger element to that established group.
Toronto reported that, during 2025-2026, Liu recorded 249 kills, Watson 256 digs, Gustke 576 assists and Ziesmann 48 blocks. These are last season’s figures, not projections for 2026-2027. Together they illustrate how a roster depends on distinct roles rather than a collection of attackers.
Thinking of contacting an OUA coach? Look at the roster first. Are there several experienced players at your position? Who might graduate before you’d arrive? Those questions tell you much more than a big school name.
A comeback win against McMaster
On October 23, Toronto beat McMaster 3-1 in an exhibition match after losing the opening set. The set scores were 19-25, 25-21, 25-17 and 25-17. Toronto’s official match recap reports a .205 team hitting percentage compared with McMaster’s .050, along with 75 digs for Toronto.
Zhu finished with 16 kills and 13 digs, Watson with 19 digs and Gustke with 49 assists, according to the official box score. Those totals show meaningful contributions at several positions. Yet this was a preseason result; it should not be mistaken for an OUA league win or used to predict an eventual conference finish.
What recruits can learn from this roster
Here’s something athletes and parents sometimes miss: a coach might like your skills but already have several players at your position. Rosters change every year. That’s why it helps to learn about a program before sending the same introduction email to ten different schools.
Before reaching out, check the roster, watch a match and make sure the school offers what you want to study. Volleyball Athletes’ school-evaluation framework was built for NCAA decisions, but several of its academic and campus-fit questions are useful for Canadian programs as well. For broader pathways, read the recruiting options comparison.
Watching film is also worthwhile. Instead of looking only at highlight plays, follow one player at your position through serve receive, transition, out-of-system rallies and communication between points.
Games to circle on your calendar
Toronto’s regular-season opener is scheduled for October 30 and 31 at home against RMC. The team’s published season preview also points to January 15-16 meetings with York and February 19-20 matches at Queen’s. The official team schedule is the place to confirm start times and any changes.
Those games are good chances to see how a team changes through the season. The Volleyball Athletes editorial team will revisit the story when more regular-season results are in.
FAQs
When does Toronto women’s volleyball begin its 2026-2027 OUA season?
Toronto’s published schedule lists home matches against RMC on October 30 and 31, 2026. Check the official schedule for updates.
Does hosting the 2027 U SPORTS championship mean Toronto is the OUA favourite?
No. Hosting provides a distinct national-championship storyline, but it is not proof of conference ranking or projected performance.
Can Canadian high-school athletes contact OUA volleyball programs directly?
Yes! Start by checking the team roster and academic requirements, then contact the coaching staff with a short introduction, your graduation year, position, playing experience and a link to your volleyball recruiting profile. A well-prepared profile makes it easier for coaches to see your video, athletic background and key details in one place. Each university has its own recruiting process, so check the program’s instructions before reaching out.
What should a recruit learn from an OUA roster?
Look at players’ positions, academic years, possible graduating gaps and the level of play. Combine that research with admissions information and direct questions to the staff.
