In its regular season opener on Friday (Oct. 23), the York University Lions men's volleyball team posted a 3-1 win against the Windsor Lancers at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
 
In a rematch of last year's bronze medal game, the Lions started the game off with much enthusiasm. Overall York was better off of the rallies, but the Lancers trailed closely behind to make it a tight game nonetheless. Both teams tallied five aces each but the Lions dominated in stats, outnumbering the Lancers in points, kills, blocks, assists and digs.
 
In the first set Arthur Szwarc (Toronto) launched bullets over the net with intimidating serves, causing Windsor to make a few hiccups defensively. Szwarc played an impeccable defensive game as well, picking up six blocks in total. The game point came off of a failed Windsor serve and the Lions won the first set 25-22.
 
The second set saw the Lions very successful off the left and central areas of the court. The men stood tall to hold the wall up and grab points off of blocks. However Tyler Covach (Kitchener, Ont.) was the star of the show. Not only did he nail four kills (three back-to-back spikes and one tip) that allowed the Lions to finish the second set off with a score of 25-20, but he also finished the match with 22 kills in total.
 
Heading into the third set, the Lions lost a bit of momentum despite their success at the start of the game. Covach returned to the court with much confidence to hit four spikes, but after the Lancers were able to grab a 16-11 lead midway through the set, the Lions couldn't bounce back in time to regain the lead. The set finished 25-21 for the Lancers.
 
The fourth set, however, was the Lions' to take. Leading 2-1 the men were able to keep their composure and finish off the match strong. Alexander Duncan-Thibault (Scarborough, Ont.) spiked several balls into the Lancers' end, and Logan Mend (Naramata, B.C.) finished the game with an astounding total of 39 assists for his team as the Lions took the fourth set 25-18.
 
Next up, the Lions will have their eyes set on a win against the No. 7 Western Mustangs. The match will take place on Saturday (Oct. 24) at 4pm at the Tait McKenzie Centre.