The York University Lions men's volleyball team faced off against the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night (Nov 4.) at the Tait McKenzie Centre in their season opener and were defeated in three sets.
 
The first set opened up with explosive play from both the Lakers and the Lions. York's Tim Jensen (Hamilton, Ont.) provided great play at the net with a distinct fierceness while blocking his opponent's shots. The Lions came out flying but unfortunately could not capitalize on their opportunities to finish plays and record kills. The first set ended in a final score of 25-20 in favour of the Lakers.
 
The second set of the match showed the same intensity from both teams as the set ended in a much closer score. In the realm of individual performances Spencer Kingzett (Penticton, B.C.) lit up the kill column as he totaled 11 in the match but, unfortunately, the set would be the closest of the three as it ended in a final score of 25-23 in favour of the Lakers.
 
After a close first five points of the third and final set the Lions never really found their groove as the Lakers won points in a row to lead 8-3. They continued to add to the lead and got it to 16-8 at the technical timeout, and the set ended with a final score of 25-16.
 
Kingzett finished with a team-high 12 points on 11 kills and one block, and he also added four digs.
 
Nipissing's leading scorer was Steven Wood with 19 points on 16 kills and three blocks.
 
With the season-opening loss against the Lakers the Lions now move to 0-1. Their next game will take place on Saturday (Nov. 5) when they travel to Hamilton, Ont., to play the No. 3 nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders at 8pm.