The York University Lions men's volleyball team kicks off the second half of the 2015-16 season against a familiar opponent this weekend when the Ryerson Rams come to the Tait McKenzie Centre on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 16).
 
The Match-up: York (5-7) vs. Ryerson (8-2)
 
Game Details:
Saturday, Jan. 16 @ 4pm – OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 5-2 at home
Ryerson – 4-1 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Lost 2
Ryerson – Won 1
 
Last Meetings
The Lions and Rams are very familiar with one another after meeting twice last weekend at the Excalibur Classic. Ryerson won in the preliminary round but York capitalized when it mattered most, winning in straight sets in the championship final. The Rams also won the previous regular-season match-up between the two teams in November, by a 3-1 score, and won in five sets in a pre-season contest.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions return to OUA play on a high after winning their home Excalibur Classic tournament this past Sunday for the first time since 1989. They went 2-1 in the tourney, defeating Ryerson in the final and Nipissing in the semis.
• The Lions ended 2015 with a pair of losses, to Guelph in straight sets on the road and to the Lakers in five sets on home court. Their last conference win was a 3-1 victory over Toronto on Nov. 22.
• The Lions are currently in the seventh and final playoff spot in the OUA standings with 10 points but have played more games (12) than every other team in the conference.
• All five of York's regular-season wins this season have come on home court at the Tait McKenzie Centre, where they are 5-2 overall. They are 0-5 on the road.
• The Lions have one more game this weekend and will head downtown to face the Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday afternoon in a match beginning at 3pm.

 
Ryerson

• The Rams are currently tied for second in the OUA with 16 points and have dropped just two contests on the year, in straight sets to top-ranked and undefeated McMaster, and in five sets to Windsor in their most recent contest before the holiday break.
• Prior to the loss to the Lancers, they won three in a row over York, Nipissing and Western, all in four sets.
• Before coming to the Tait McKenzie Centre on Saturday, the Rams will be in North Bay, Ont., on Friday night for a match against Nipissing.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
M Arthur Szwarc – Earned the tournament MVP award at last weekend's Excalibur Classic after a phenomenal performance in the championship final, scoring 27 points in just three sets. He is currently fifth in the OUA with 4.4 points per set, including leading the conference with 1.36 blocks per set.
 
S Logan Mend – Was named a tournament all-star at the Excalibur Classic. He is seventh in the OUA with 9.22 assists per set in his first year as a starter.
 
Ryerson
 
OH Lucas Coleman – Ranks sixth in the OUA with 4.3 points per set, including being fifth in the conference with 3.92 kills per set. He was an all-star at the Excalibur Classic last weekend.
 
OH Robert Wojcik – The conference's best server with an OUA-leading 20 service aces in 10 matches. He is also eighth in scoring with a 4.2 points-per-set average, and seventh with 3.42 kills per set.