The York University Lions men's volleyball team was defeated by the Waterloo Warriors in four sets on Saturday (Jan. 17) at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
 
It was a tight match-up in the first set that ended at 27-25 for the Warriors. The visitors dominated the Lions in the following set at 25-15. The Lions pulled one back to deny a straight-sets win for the Warriors at 28-26. However, the Warriors completed their victory at the fourth set that ended 25-23.
 
The loss drew the Lions to a record of 7-6 on the season. The Lions are currently seventh place with 14 points in the OUA standings. The win improved the Warriors to 9-5 on the year and they currently hold down the fifth spot.
 
The match started out slow for both teams, but the Warriors were able to maintain the lead until the first timeout at 12-9. However, the Lions were able to organize themselves and score four consecutive points to take their first lead of the game at 13-12.
 
Veteran setter Nikola Sandic (Etobicoke, Ont.) assisted his teammates for kills to keep the team in the lead. The Warriors eventually won the set through attacking errors by the opposition.
 
During the second set, the Lions' attempts were repeatedly blocked by the Warriors, leading to several conceded points. Arthur Swarcz (Toronto) delivered an impressive service ace that stunned the Warriors.
 
Another series of attacking errors and blocks boosted the Warriors to a 25-15 victory.
 
Rookie outside hitter Josh Henderson (Scarborough, Ont.) powered a kill to give the Lions the first point of the third set.
 
The Warriors benefitted from the Lions' service errors. However, the home team showed no signs of slowing down.
 
The Lions took the lead before a timeout was called at 20-18. The Warriors caught up for a deuce at 24-24. The addition of Nicolas Pirnat (Ottawa) and Grant Lynch (Waterloo, Ont.) proved to be vital as the Lions pulled a tight win at the third set.
 
At the start of the fourth set, the Lions displayed a nervous performance as errors plagued the team again.
 
Ray Szeto (Sutton, Ont.) stepped up with five kills in the fourth set alone. The Lions eventually led at 13-12 by the first timeout. A long rally ended when Szeto leaped to smash the ball into the Warriors' court for an amazing kill.
 
A timeout was called at 23-23. The Warriors' Aaron Wiersma delivered two service aces for the winning points.
 
Among the game leaders was Szeto, who managed 17 kills, 13 digs, two blocks and 21 points. Sandic recorded one kill, 12 digs and 36 assists. For the Warriors, Zachary Doherty contributed 11 kills, 10 digs and an assist. Gibson Graham made one kill, six digs, two blocks and 38 assists.
 
The Lions will face the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday (Jan. 18) at Tait McKenzie Centre beginning at 4pm in a crucial match for playoff positioning in the OUA standings. The Gryphons currently hold down third place with a 9-4 record.