An entertaining, exhilarating, heart on sleeve effort against Canda’s number one Ryerson Rams was not enough for RMC, who fell 3-1 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre Friday night.

The game, which Ryerson entered as favourite began to play out as expected, with the Rams jumping out to a 2-0 set lead. It was the third set where it got close, and the RMC PAladin began to show how their effort could get them points.

RMC trailed for most of the third set but fought their way back into it with two runs of consecutive points. It brought them close enough that Ryerson’s mistakes handed the set to the Paladin.

“The effort they showed in the third set was unbelievable, that’s what we have to learn as a team,” said Ryerson assistant coach Adam Simac following his teams win.

Without 2018-19 all-star and team leader Thianna Vernon, the Rams have lacked an identity so far this season. As coach Simac said, it’s the heart and dedication which Ryerson will have to implement if they are to develop a new identity.

Ryerson’s Calin Wark dominated the game, putting up 27.5 points, a season-high for her, and highest points in the game. Her contribution to the team has been understated this year, but she is a key player towards the success of the Rams.

The Paladin, while not one of the strongest teams in the OUA has a spirit and effort that intertwines itself throughout the entire athletics program. The school puts people in the army, so it takes a special type of person to sign on to there. The fact that their teams even compete in the OUA is an achievement itself. The skill may not always be there, hence the lack of success, but the mentality of their team I something other teams envy.

After the loss, the standings remain the same, with Ryerson at the top and the Paladin in the basement. Both teams will now head into rivalry weeks with, RMC heading home to face their Kingston rivals Queen’s University, whereas Ryerson will take the quick subway ride to take on the Toronto Varsity Blues.