The York University Lions women's volleyball team fell short 3-1 to the No. 4 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues at home in Tait McKenzie Centre on Friday night in the first Subway Series of 2020.
The loss ended a three-game winning streak the Lions had entering the match but they are still comfortably in a playoff spot with an 8-7 record.
The Blues struck first with a kill from Jenna Woock, but a kill from
Sarah Williams helped even the score. Both teams were neck-and-neck in the first half of the opening set but the Blues began to pull away with the lead with a kill from Alina Dormann to make the score 5-2 for the Blues.
The Lions came back to tie the game 18-18 with a kill from
Aleksandra Steins, making the Lions crowd electric, but that was as close as they would get. An attack error from the Lions allowed the Blues to take the first set with a score of 25-21.
In the second set, the Varsity Blues gained an early lead with a kill and attack error from the Lions. The deficit didn't deter the Lions' spirit as they had a great rally that ended with a block from Steins and
Chiara Da Silva. The Varsity Blues began to pull away with the lead once again as they doubled the Lions with the set point in the line and took the second set 25-11.
In the third,
Wesley-Ann Bailey started the Lions off strong with a kill to put them on the board, but the Blues were on their heels and quickly gained the lead. The Blues defence began to crumble as the Lions scored nine points in a row, from Williams, Steins and Kim to earn a 14-7 lead. The score was 22-12, and the Blues regained their composure as they began to creep up to the Lions. Fortunately, the Lions were too far ahead and ended the set with a 25-21 score to make the match score 2-1 for the visitors.
The Blues came out strong to start the fourth but with a block from Bailey, the Lions were able to tie the score. Once again, the Blues began to pull away with the lead once again and built a 22- 15 advantage. The Lions put up a good fight as they were still gaining points, but it was too little too late as the Blues were too far ahead and ended the set with 25-16 to win the match.
Williams and Kim led the team with the highest number of kills, with nine each resulting in Williams leading the team with 12 points and Kim with 11.
The Lions will play their next game on Saturday against the Nipissing Lakers at home in the Tait McKenzie Centre at 6pm.
