The York University Lions women's volleyball team lost in four sets against the Western Mustangs on Saturday (Feb. 7) at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
 
The Lions won the first set 25-20, but Western came back to take the second 25-19. They then cruised to the third set win, at 25-11, and won the fourth 25-22 to take the match.
 
The loss dropped the Lions to 9-9 on the year, and they have already been eliminated from the playoffs in the tough OUA East Division. The Mustangs, meanwhile, improved to 6-12 and kept pace with the Windsor Lancers for the final playoff spot in the OUA West.
 
The Lions had a nervy start to the game as they trailed 7-2 before the timeout. Mimi Demski (Etobicoke, Ont.) subbed in and aided the Lions to reduce the deficit at 9-6.
 
The set was tied at 12-12 through an attacking error by the Mustangs, and at 15-15, the Lions won a long rally after defending well.
 
Towards the end of the set, the Lions looked in control as they concluded with a 25-20 win.
 
At the start of the second the Lions started out slow again. Brittney Hopley (Thornhill, Ont.) and Veneta Mincheva (Gatineau, Que.) inspired the Lions to take the lead at 10-7 before the Mustangs called a timeout.
 
However, the Mustangs managed to catch up midway through the set as the game remained deadlocked until the end. A series of miscommunications handed the Mustangs a 25-19 win.
 
The visitors completely dominated the Lions' defence in the third set with a 25-11 win. Kelsey Veltman had the highlight of the game as the rookie stunned the Lions with a powerful spike to an open space.
 
Despite trailing in set wins, the Lions kept pressuring the opposition at the fourth set. Mincheva gave the Lions an early lead with an impressive spike for a kill.
 
Both teams had equal opportunities throughout the set as the match remained tight. The Mustangs found a breakthrough after capitalizing on several attacking errors by the Lions as they lead 20-15.
 
The Lions relentlessly attempted to catch up with the Mustangs at 22-20. Hopley timed a perfect jump for a sensational block to give the Lions a point at 22-21. However, the Lions were unable to best the Mustangs as the visiting team won the final set at 25-22.
 
The Mustangs' Veltman ended the game with a game-high of 23 points and 15 kills. For the Lions, Mincheva achieved 15 points and 10 kills, as well as four service aces. Michelle Pierce (Windsor, Ont.) contributed 12 points on nine kills, two blocks and one service ace.
 
The Lions will host the Windsor Lancers at the Tait McKenzie Centre in their final game of the season on Sunday (Feb. 8) at 2pm.