Coming off of a six-game tour on the road, the York University women's volleyball team returned to the Tait McKenzie Centre on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 14) and lost by a narrow 3-2 score to the Waterloo Warriors.
The Lions opened the game with a 25-18 win in the first set to start the game on the right foot.
Cadence Currie (Scarborough, Ont.) dominated on all areas of the court contributing with kills and digs, as well as
Keeva MacLeod (Ottawa, Ont.) who played a strong offensive set with multiple points off of blocks and kills.
In the second set
Celeste Witzell (Kitchener, Ont.) worked the flanks of the court, while
Callie Giaccone (Ottawa, Ont.) took over the middle of the frontline with multiple kills and blocks. However the Warriors were able to grab two timely points at the end of play to take the set in a narrow 25-23 victory.
Leveled at 1-1 heading into the third set, both teams battled early, while
Kristen Dillon (Surrey, B.C.) had delivered some great sets and tips, an eight-point difference in points allowed the Warriors to take the set 25-17.
In the fourth set the Lions were quick to take a ten-point lead over the Warriors in the opening minutes of play and maintained a large lead throughout the set. With
Sabah Kalim's (Toronto) game point kill, the Lions won the set 25-16 and pushed the match into a fifth set.
It was a tight and exciting fifth set that featured a promising five-point comeback from the Lions. However, after the Warriors Alyson Colpitts nailed a critical kill and the Lions made an attack error, the Warriors were able to take the set in a 15-13 win and secure the 3-2 victory.
Colpitts collected the most points of the match with 19.5, executing 17 kills and 14 digs. Claire McKenzie also tallied 13.5 points from 11 kills, and Karly Smith supported the Warriors with 33 assists.
On the Lions' end MacLeod led in points with 15, Witzell followed closely behind with 14.5 points, and
Melissa Smilie (White Rock, Ont.) totaled 11.5 points with eight kills and three service aces.
With the result the Lions are seated in fifth position in the OUA East, while the Warriors remain in sixth position in the OUA West. Both teams share the same 5-12 record on the year.
On Feb. 19 (Friday) fans can catch the Lions back at the Tait McKenzie Centre for their last home game of the regular season. First serve will be at 6pm against the No. 7 McMaster Marauders.
