The No. 8 York University Lions men's volleyball team lost to the Guelph Gryphons 3-1 on Saturday (Oct. 25) in Guelph, Ont.
 
The Lions lost the first set 26-24, lost the second 25-22, won the third 25-18, and lost the fourth 25-21.
 
In the first set, the Lions led the attack with kills by Marko Dakic (Mississauga, Ont.), Ray Szeto (Sutton, Ont.) and Josh Henderson (Scarborough, Ont.). The Gryphons were able to tie the game at 16-16, then began to lead due to numerous service errors from the Lions. The Lions pulled through and tied the game again at 24-24, but a kill by Joshua Green and a service error gave the Gryphons a two-point win.
 
The second set was tight as well at 21-22 in the end, but with a kill by Patrick Strzalkowski and an attack error at the end of the set, the Gryphons were able to win with a three-point lead.
 
The Lions began and finished strong in the third set, balancing a two-point lead throughout the game due to kills by Alexander Duncan-Thibault (Scarborough, Ont.), Szeto and Dakic and many errors from the Gryphons. The Lions ended the set with a seven-point advantage and feeling confident that they can take the fourth set.
 
The fourth set was a grueling battle with kills coming from both sides. With an even battle of kills towards the end of the game, the Lions fell short due to service and attack errors.
 
Leaders from the Lions' side included Szeto with 14 kills, one ace and two blocks; Dakic with 14 kills and two blocks and Henderson with 11 kills, two aces and three blocks.
 
Leaders from the Gryphons side included Marc Wilson with nine kills and five blocks; Joshua Green with eight kills, one ace and one block and Strzalkowski with eight kills, two aces and one block.
 
The next game for the Lions is a home game against the No. 3 McMaster Marauders on Friday (Oct. 31) at the Tait McKenzie Centre in their home opener.