The York University Lions men's volleyball team hosted the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday afternoon in the fourth match of a six-game homestand. The Lions were looking to carry on their momentum from their four-set victory on Saturday.
Both teams traded points early in the game. Dennis Cota rallied the team to go on a run scoring nine unanswered points to go from down 7-5 to up 14-7. However, the Lions could not hold on to the seven-point lead as the Gryphons came back to tie the game at 19-19. The visitors eventually took the set 27-25 in a very compelling opener.
The Gryphons led throughout the majority of the second set, and took a 15-14 mid-set deficit to a 22-18 lead and eventually took it 25-20. The Lions came out of the third set blazing, unfazed by the absence of Chris Hoffman. Cota rose to the occasion with at the net blocks and kills, showcasing why he is regarded as one of the OUA's best two-way players. Alex Ko also made his presence felt, delivering key kills throughout the set. With York appearing to pull away at 23–17, the Gryphons mounted a late surge to take a 24–23 lead. However, the Lions stood their ground, and, after leveling the score at 24–24, Jasraj Nijar delivered a clutch block to put York back in front, before Cota sealed the set with one of his own, lifting the Lions to a third-set win and avoiding the clean sweep.
York carried on the momentum and dominated the fourth taking the set 25-16 thanks in large part to a 10-0 run at the service line from Ko, forcing a decisive fifth. The Gryphons pulled out to an early 5-2 lead, before York scored five straight to go up 7-5. However, Guelph responded to the Lions run with four dtraight. Although the Lions got it back to within one at 14-13, the Gryphons took the set and the match on the next point, staving off the reverse sweep and winning it 3-2. Ko led the team in kills. The Lions record now stands at 9-7, with York now in fifth place in the OUA.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions welcome the Nippising Lakers on Friday night in the first of a weekend doubleheader. First serve is set for approximately 8:00 pm. You can get your tickets here or stream the match live, free of charge on OUA TV.
