The York University Lions men's volleyball team completed an astounding comeback on Sunday afternoon against their cross-town rival Toronto Varsity Blues. After being immersed in a 2-0 deficit, the Lions rallied back to win three unanswered sets en route to their sixth straight victory.
 
The win keeps the Lions in a tie for first place in the OUA East Division with the Ryerson Rams, although the Lions have two games in hand.
 
In the opening set, the Lions and Blues both showcased their innate ability to hit the ball with incredible force. As the score climbed back and forth through the entirety of the set it was evident that the score would not be settled at 25. In the late points of the set Spencer Kingzett (Penticton, B.C.) rocketed a ball into the unprepared hands of a Varsity Blues player. Very soon after, Toure Nwakwesi (Brampton, Ont.) pounded a ball through the chest of a Toronto player in the back row.
 
Despite the power displayed by the Lions, they would be unable to capitalize on their advantages and would lose the set 28-26. 
 
The Lions trailed for the majority of the second set and it was not until late in the frame that they began to shut the gap. The Lions succeeded in doing this by pursuing the ball, no matter what its location was on the court. Several times Jules Muhawe (Orleans, Ont.) could be seen within inches of the scorekeeping table. Alex Duncan-Thibault (Scarborough, Ont.) was responsible for keeping the game within reach as the 6-foot-7 middle blocker's power was too much to contain.
 
Facing elimination with a 24-20 score the Lions fought back point by point. The high-flying Varsity Blues would end the game despite the Lions valiant comeback attempt by a score of 25-23.
 
In the third an early small lead was negated by the Blues' natural blocking ability. With the Blues catching up on the scoreboard the two teams would go point for point all the way into the twenties. From here the Lions scored two straight, with one coming off of an impressive and deceptive light poke over the outstretched hands of two blockers. With the score tied at 24 Duncan-Thibault would wedge the ball between a Toronto blocker and the net to put York one point away from winning the set. On the very next rally he locked down the court with a monumental block to win the set.
 
In the fourth set neither the Lions nor the Blues were able create significant separation from one another. It was not until the last five points that the Lions began to gain some ground. Duncan-Thibault utilized his incredible blocking skills and exceptional hitting power to push the Lions to a 24-21 lead. The set was capped off when Spencer Dakin Kuiper (Lethbridge, Alta.) fired a hit down the throat of the Varsity Blues' defence. The kill would be virtually un-returnable and the Lions would now have the opportunity to complete their exceptional comeback.
 
The Lions shot out to an early 3-0 lead to start the fifth before the Blues knew what hit them. Robert Thompson (Maple, Ont.) showed off his touch on the ball with a light poke that skimmed the finger nails of the two Toronto blockers and added to the Lions roll. Logan Mend (Naramata, B.C.) pulled off his quick and deceptive side tap to shoot the ball down to the court and push the Lions just three points away from victory.
 
The Blues would not lay down but the Lions' roll could not be stopped, and on match point Kingzett was set up beautifully for the game winning point. The set would end with a final score of 15-10.
 
With their outstanding victory, the Lions now hold a 11-3 record. Their next game will take place on Saturday when they travel to Kingston, Ont., for an important game against the Queen's Gaels that could determine seeding in the division.