The York University Lions men's volleyball team let a two-set lead slip away but came away with a five-set victory over the Waterloo Warriors at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Saturday night.
 
The Lions and Warriors looked evenly matched at the beginning of the first set. There was no clear leader, and both sides made spectacular offensive and defensive plays. However, the Lions began to pull away just before the technical timeout, where the score was 16-13, and this lead continued to grow. The Lions claimed the first set 25-19 and led the match 1-0.
 
The Lions took the lead earlier in the second set, and after the technical timeout it was clear the Warriors were not going to be able to catch them. This set ended with exactly the same score as the first, 25-19, and the Lions increased their lead in the match to 2-0.
 
Unfortunately for the Lions, the tables turned in the third set, when the Warriors were able to overtake the Lions 16-13 by the technical timeout. In shockingly similar fashion to the Lions' earlier plays, the Warriors continued to speed ahead and won the set, bringing the match score to 2-1. 25-19 seemed to be the magic numbers for the scoreboard tonight, as the third set also ended with this score.
 
The Warriors raced ahead to an early lead in the fourth set, with a six-point advantage before the Lions put up their first point. This lead stayed strong, and the Warriors led 16-10 at the technical time out. The Lions were unable to break the lead established by the Warriors and the set ended with the same 25-19 score as the others.
 
The fifth was eventful and high in energy as both teams put their best foot forward to win the crucial set. At the half, the Lions had asserted a four-point lead and they continued to race ahead while the Warriors failed to handle what the Lions sent their way. The Lions walked out of the set with a huge 15-8 win to take the match.
 
Leading the Lions in scoring was Andrew Tauhid with 22.5 points, consisting of 20 kills, two solo blocks and one assisted block. Behind him was Andrew Shotbolt with 14.5 points (11 kills, three service aces and one assisted block). Shotbolt and Jules Muhawe led the team in digs with seven each.
 
Aidan Simone led the points for the Warriors with 15 (nine kills, one service ace, four solo blocks and one assisted block). He was followed closely by teammate Braden Cok with 14.5 points (12 kills, one service ace, one solo block and one assisted block).
 
The Lions now have a 5-1 season record, and the Warriors drop to 3-5.
 
The Lions will take on the Trent Excalibur in their final match of 2017 on Sunday, Nov. 26 at the Tait McKenzie Centre. The match will start at 6pm.