The York University Lions men's volleyball team will welcome the Nipissing Lakers to the Tait McKenzie Centre on Friday night in their first home date of 2019. The Lions will have revenge on their minds after they lost a hard-fought game to the Lakers on the opening night of the season 3-1.
 
The Match-up: York (3-5) vs. Nipissing (3-3)
 
Game Details
Friday, Jan. 18 @ 8pm, OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 2-1 at home
Nipissing – 1-1 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Lost 1
Nipissing – Lost 3
 
Last Meetings
After splitting the first two sets of their opening night match 23-25 and 25-16, the Lions dropped the next two 20-25 and 21-25 to lose 3-1 to the Lakers. The Lions are on a mini two-game losing streak against the Lakers after dropping a 3-0 in February last year. York won the first matchup between the two teams last season by a score of 3-1.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions have alternated wins and losses in their last seven games, picking up victories over the Trent Excalibur, RMC Paladins and Toronto Varsity Blues in that time.
• York ranks first in the OUA in both assists (12.12) and kills (12.76) per set this season.
• Serving has been an issue so far for the Lions, as they currently rank ninth in the OUA with 126 service errors.
• The Lions have gone the full five sets in each of their last three games.
• Following their game against the Lakers, the Lions will have eight days off before they take on the Waterloo Warriors on the road on Saturday, Jan. 26.

 
Nipissing

• The Lakers started their season with three straight wins before losing their last three games against Queen's, Toronto, and Ryerson.    
• The Lakers have been strong defensively at the net this season and lead the OUA with 2.41 blocks per set.
• Nipissing's offence has struggled at times this season and they come into the game ranked ninth in kills (10.65) and tenth in assists (9.96) per set.
• The Lakers don't have far to travel after Friday's game as they will play on the road against the Ryerson Rams on Saturday.

 PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
OH Andrew Tauhid – Coming off two huge games for the Lions where he led the team with a combined 54 points and 49 kills. Ranks second in the OUA with 4.21 kills per set on the season.
 
OH Tyler Covach – Averaging career-highs in points (3.2), kills (2.71) and blocks (0.47) per set this season.
 
Nipissing
 
OH Steve Wood – Ranked second in the OUA 5.0 points per set and third with 4.14 kills per set.  
 
S Eric Ellison – The Lakers sophomore setter has 133 assists and 6.65 assists per set on the season.