The York University Lions men's volleyball team welcomes the Nipissing Lakers to the Tait McKenzie Centre this weekend. A win would help the squad move up in the OUA standings, where the Lions are in the hunt for a home playoff game.
 
The Match-up: York (8-6) vs. Nipissing (4-10)
 
Game Details
Saturday, Jan. 24 @ 2pm, OUA.tv
 
Fan Promotions

• Win a one-night stay and breakfast at Springhill Suites Marriott, Vaughan

 
Home/Away Records
York – 3-4 at home
Nipissing – 2-4 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Won 1
Nipissing – Lost 1
 
Last Meeting
The Lions defeated the Lakers in four sets in their previous regular-season meeting earlier this year, with the Lakers taking the third set. The Lions also swept the Lakers in a pre-season match-up and last year won both contests in straight sets.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions defeated Guelph in their most recent contest last weekend, a huge win that pulled the team into a tie with the Gryphons for fifth spot in the OUA standings, just two points back of fourth-place Queen's. The win over Guelph snapped a mini two-game losing streak.
• The Lions have six games remaining this season, including four against teams below them in the standings. A top-four finish in the OUA will secure a home playoff game in the first round.
• The Lions have won a total of 30 sets this season, and dropped 25.
• In addition to Saturday's game against Nipissing, the Lions will be in Hamilton, Ont., on Friday night to face defending OUA champion and No. 1 nationally-ranked McMaster.

 
Nipissing

• The Lakers started the season with a six-game losing streak but have played .500 volleyball since then with a 4-4 mark. They won back-to-back games against RMC and Guelph in the last two weeks, and in their most recent contest were swept in straight sets by Waterloo.
• The Lakers are currently ninth in the OUA standings, six points out of the final playoff spot in the conference.
• The Lakers have won only 19 sets this year, the second-lowest mark in the division, and given up 31.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
OH Josh Henderson – York's male athlete of the week after averaging 3.94 points per set in two matches last weekend. He is currently tied for seventh in OUA scoring with 3.9 points per set and is sixth with 3.29 kills per set, both top ranks for first-year players.
 
OH Ray Szeto – The two-time CIS all-Canadian is York's all-time leader in kills and surpassed 1000 for his career earlier this season. He is currently sixth in OUA scoring with 4.2 points per set, and is fourth with 3.75 kills per set.
 
Nipissing
 
RS Cameron Branch – Leads the Lakers and ranks second in the OUA with 4.8 points per set. He is also the conference leader with 4.28 kills per set.
 
S Shawn Humphrey – The setter is ninth in the OUA with 8.04 assists per set.