LIONS BACK TO BUSINESS AFTER 11-DAY LAYOFF

The York University Lions women’s volleyball team has been chomping at the bit to get back on the court since a tough straight-sets loss to the Queen’s Gaels on Jan. 7.

Wednesday marks that long-awaited return to action, as the club heads to McMaster to face a Marauders team that is ranked No. 5 in the country and hasn’t lost since November, a stretch of six matches in a row. Both teams come in having played just two matches in the last 47 days, including the exam break. McMaster didn’t play the opening weekend of the winter term, while the Lions haven’t played since.

The Marauders sit fourth in a top-heavy OUA at 10-2. The Lions, meanwhile, find themselves seventh, still in playoff position. They have two games in hand in Windsor, who is eighth, and one on Nipissing, who sit ninth.

On Saturday, the Lions tangle with another GTHA rival in the TMU Bold at home. The Bold are, all of a sudden, having an exceptional season themselves, finding themselves in fifth in the OUA standings with a 9-4 record. It didn’t start great for Toronto Met, who began the season 0-2. They’ve won nine of 11 matches, including six straight, and are one of the hottest teams, along with McMaster, on the circuit.

The Matchups:

Jan. 18: York (6-5) vs. No. 5 McMaster (10-2)

Jan. 21: York (6-5) vs. TMU (9-4)

Game Details:

Wed., Jan. 18 at McMaster (6:00 pm – OUA.tv)

Sat., Jan. 21 vs. TMU (8:00 pm OUA.tv)

Current Streaks:

York – Lost 1

McMaster – Won 6

TMU – Won 6

Quick Facts

York:

• The Lions have committed the sixth-fewest errors in the OUA (228).
• York is second in the conference in solo blocks (61).

McMaster:

• The Marauders are second in the OUA in kills (529).
• McMaster is fourth in the province in receptions (803).

TMU:

• The Bold lead the OUA in digs (753).
• TMU is fourth in the league in hitting percentage (.206).

Lions to Watch:

#4 CHIARA DA SILVA: Fifth-year setter… Has 53.9% of the Lions team assists so far this season (216)… Is fourth on the team in blocks (12)… Has committed the fewest errors on the squad (7)… Has played the third-most sets of anyone on the Lions (33). 

#8 CHRISTINA PICCININ: Fifth-year middle hitter… Is third on the Lions in kills (67) and kills per set (1.81) among qualified players… Has also committed the third-fewest errors among Lions with at least 20 sets played (19)… Has had at least 8 kills in 5 of the 10 matches she’s played in thus far… Is tied for the team lead in aces (8). Is also solid defensively, having posted 6+ digs three times.