The York University Lions women's volleyball team travelled to Guelph to take on the Guelph Gryphons in their regular season opener on Friday evening.. Coming off a 7-13 season a year ago, the Lions looked to make an early statement and establish themselves as a competitive force once again this season, eyeing their first trip to the postseason since 2023.
Starting the first set, York came out ready to compete, with former Windsor Lancer all-star Brooke Davis helping lead the Lions' offence. Victoria Herrington, Quinn McTavish and Kianna Drewniak contributed to the attack as York looked to establish an early lead. However, Guelph responded with strong offensive plays from Lexi Nicholson-Clarke and Yaisa Sealy. The set went to extra points, and the Lions eventually prevailed by a 29-27 putting York out in front.
The Lions looked to put the Gryphons on the brink in the second, and Davis continued to distribute the ball effectively, creating opportunities for her teammates to capitalize on. Alexis Miller, McTavish and Drewniak helped generate points through attacking plays, while York worked to limit Guelph's offensive momentum. The Lions were able to pull away late in the set, going up 24-16, and despite four straight from the Gryphons, it was York taking the second set 25–20 and taking a 2-0 lead.
The third set brought another competitive battle between the two teams. York continued to rely on its offensive play, with Herrington and Miller contributing important kills. Davis remained active in setting up scoring opportunities, while the Gryphons continued to challenge the Lions with their attacking pressure. Both teams fought to gain control, and while neither team gained much separation in the third, Guelph took a nail-biter of a set, 25-23, to inch a little bit closer, down 2-1.
Looking to put the match away, York's offence remained active, with Drewniak, McTavish and Davis continuing their solid production. However, the Gryphons took a 24-20 lead, and after the visitors rallied to cut it to 24-23, a Yaisa Sealy kill closed it out for Guelph on the next point, forcing the match toward a deciding fifth set.
The teams remained evenly matched early in the fifth, but York eventually got out to an 8-5 lead following a Sealy error to bring about the final rotation of the night. The Lions then scored four of the first five points out of the mid-set break to go up 12-6. A Herington kill gave York match point, and after a Madison McRae service error, Sealy returned the favour to end it, as the Lions took the fifth 15-8 and the match 3-2 to steal the Gryphons home opener.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will look to move to 2-0 on the season when the Lions and Gryphons do battle on Saturday night at at 6:00 p.m. You can watch the game live on OUA TV.
