The York University Lions men's volleyball team defeated the Queen's Gaels by a score of 3-1 at the Tait McKenzie Centre in the season opener for both teams.
The game started strong with the Lions getting on the scoreboard first on a service ace from
Dan Everton. Later on in the set, the Lions scored seven points in a row from
Andrew Shotbolt, a service ace from
Andriy Sozanskyy,
Andrew Tauhid and
Grant Lynch as well as attack errors from the Gaels. The Lions kept Queen's at bay even when the Gaels went on a run and managed to pull out a win for the first set with a score of 25-22.
The drama didn't end in the second set. The Lions were down a couple of points in the beginning but they were able to regain control and were prepared the come out leading the Gaels by as many as four points. Still, in a last-minute attempt, the Gaels closed in on the deficit, but to no avail and the Lions won the second set 25-23 after an attack error from the Gaels.
In the third set, the Lions played for a clean sweep but the Gaels had other plans. They came out strong with five points in a row with a service ace and a kill from Erik Siksna. The Lions were scrambling to regain the momentum they had from their previous two sets, but they fell short as they lost the third to the Gaels with a score of 25-20.
The fourth set was the time for the Lions to redeem themselves. The Gaels scored first off of an attack error from Shotbolt; luckily, the Lions were able to come out on top despite the minor setback and were leading the Gaels the entirety of the set winning it with a score of 25-21 and ultimately defeating the Gaels with a score of 3-1.
Rookie
Luke de Greeff, in his first ever OUA regular-season game, led all Lions with 14 points on 12 kills, one service ace and two assisted blocks and he also added a match-high seven digs. Everton finished with 31 assists.
Siksna led all players in the match with 15 points on 10 kills, four service aces and two assisted blocks.
The Lions play their next game against the Ryerson Rams on Wednesday at 8pm at the Tait McKenzie Centre, where they hope to remain in the win column.
