The York University Lions men's volleyball team were defeated by the Western Mustangs three sets to one on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 6) at the Alumni Hall in London.

The Lions and Mustangs were neck and neck in the OUA standings coming into Saturday's matchup, as they sported nearly identical records through 16 matches this season. The similarities between the two teams resulted in a well balanced and competitive match, as each set could have gone in either direction.

The first set was as equal as two teams could possibly play as those in attendance witnessed the Lions and Mustangs battle it out until the Mustangs began to pull away late, taking the opening set 29-27.

The second and third sets came down to the final possessions as they scores were 25-21 and 25-23 respectively. The Mustangs above the net game was on full display in their second set win, as Zeid Hamadeh totalled a game high 15 kills and 18 points along with Mustang teammate Mike Choja who filled the stat line with 18 points, 10 kills, and three blocked shots. As the Lions were on the verge of being swept in the third set the offense was ignited by powerful kills from Arthur Szwarc (Toronto) who finished with nine kills and 11.5 points, and fellow high flyer Tyler Covach (Kitchener, Ont.) finishing with 12.5 points and nine kills.

In the fourth and deciding set the Lions offence went cold and the Mustangs capitalized taking the set 25-17. The Mustangs are now 8-7 on the season and are climbing in the OUA standings, on the other side of the net the Lions now fall to 7-10.

The Lions are back in action tomorrow (Feb. 7) when they are in Windsor to take on a 4-10 Lancers squad at 3pm.