It's city rivals weekend for the York University Lions men's volleyball team as they will play host to the Ryerson Rams and Toronto Varsity Blues at the Tait McKenzie Centre. On court prior to the game against the Rams on Friday, five members of the Lions varsity teams will be getting their mustaches and beards shaved on court as part of York Sport Council's Movember fundraising initiative. Admission is free for both games for York students.
 
The Match-up: York (2-3) vs. Ryerson (3-3) and Toronto (5-2)
 
Game Details
Ryerson – Friday, Nov. 23 @ 8pm, OUA.tv
Toronto – Saturday, Nov. 25 @ 3pm, OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 1-0 at home
Ryerson – 0-2 on the road
Toronto – 2-1 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Won 1
Ryerson – Lost 2
Toronto – Won 1
 
Last Meetings
The Lions dropped both games to the Rams last season losing 3-1 in November and 3-2 in January. Ryerson is on a three-game winning streak against York, with the Lions last win against the Rams coming in the third game of the 2016-17 season.  
 
York and Toronto split their season series last year, with both teams winning at home in straight sets. Prior to their defeat last season, the Lions had won eight games in a row over the Varsity Blues dating back to the 2013-14 season.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions picked up their second victory of the season last weekend with a 3-0 defeat of the RMC Paladins. They've won both their games by scores of 3-0, while their three losses have all been by scores of 3-1.
• The Lions rank second in the OUA in points per set (16.1), kills per set (12.56), and assists per set (11.83).
• York's service game has been a strength this season as they rank third in the OUA with 2.06 service aces per set.
• The two games this weekend are the Lions last before the winter break. They will play their annual Excalibur tournament on Jan. 4-6 and will be back in OUA regular season action against the Rams on Jan. 12. 

Ryerson

• Ryerson had a rough road trip last weekend to south western Ontario, losing 3-1 to the Windsor Lancers on Friday and 3-0 to the Western Mustangs on Saturday.
• All of Ryerson's wins this season have come by scores of 3-0 in victories over Brock, RMC and Trent.
• The Rams find themselves in the middle of the OUA pack in most offensive categories, ranking sixth in points per set (14.9), kills per set (11.29), and aces per set (1.76), while they sit eighth in assists per set with 10.48. 

Toronto

• The Varsity Blues opened their season with four straights wins before losing 3-1 to the Western Mustangs last weekend.  
• Toronto's defensive game has been on point so far this season, as they lead the OUA in digs per set with 11.00 and are second in total digs with 297.
• The Blues will be in North Bay, Ont., on Friday night to play the Nipissing Lakers before taking on the Lions on Sunday. They'll resume play after the winter break against the Guelph Gryphons on Jan. 12.  

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
OH Andrew Tauhid – Ranks first on the Lions and fifth in the OUA with 4.00 kills per set. Also leads the team in points (61) and points per set (4.4) and has four service aces on the season.
 
OH Tyler Covach – Senior outside hitter is second on the team with 3.7 points and 3.25 kills per set.
 
Ryerson
 
OH Xander Ketrzynski – Six-foot-eight freshman ranks first in the OUA in points per set with 6.0 and kills per set with 5.0. Has also chipped in with 18 digs and 16 blocks on the season.
 
S Greg Vukets – Leads the Rams in assists with 117 on the season while averaging a team-leading 8.36 assists per set.   
 
Toronto
 
OH Chris Towe – Leads Toronto with 3.17 kills per set and 3.7 points per set.
 
L Daniel Tudor – Sophomore libero ranks second in the OUA in digs (72) and digs per set (2.67).