LIONS HEAD TO HAMILTON TO DUKE IT OUT WITH MARAUDERS IN OUA SEMI

The best is yet to come.

That is true in both the literal, and – hopefully – figurative sense for the York University Lions men’s volleyball team as they travel to Hamilton on Saturday to face the OUA’s No. 1 seed, McMaster Marauders in the OUA semi-final. With a win York will reach its first Forsyth Cup final in 18 years, while simultaneously booking a trip back to Hamilton for its first trip to the U SPORTS championships in 8 years.

The Marauders had a near-perfect season, winning their first 18 games of the year. Their only two losses came on the final weekend of the season when a flu bug ravaged near everyone on the team, including the coaching staff. 

The Lions have to feel a little unlucky facing the Marauders in Round 2. Though they were the four seed, they were three match points against Windsor away from clinching second and avoiding McMaster until the final. The silver linings to playing them now, however are twofold: you likely would have had to face them anyway, so if you win now, you get an easier matchup in the final; and b) even with a loss, the Lions get another chance to qualify for nationals with a win in the bronze medal game, as the OUA will send its top three finishers to the tournament.

The Lions, as did most teams, went winless, against the Marauders during the regular season. York dropped both matches to McMaster, both in four sets at Tait McKenzie Centre. They will certainly be in tough against one of the most experienced and well-coached teams in the league. The Marauders have seven players on their roster in at least their fourth year of eligibility, while Dave Preston is almost undisputedly the best volleyball coach in the province. This is why McMaster finished second in the OUA (right behind York) in hitting percentage (.264) and aces (114; directly ahead of the Lions). They also led the conference in fewest reception errors (69) and in blocks (174).

Despite this, the Lions aren’t phased, and will gladly trade those two regular season setbacks for some postseason supremacy, however, and have as good a chance as they could to pull it off. 

The reason? Josh Fadare. The star second-year outside hitter has been an infusion of offence since his return to the lineup for the final two regular season games against Windsor. He’s combined for 44 in his three games coming off injury, including 18 in the quarter-final win over Queen’s. Fadare missed both games against McMaster earlier this year, and his presence will add an additional element the Marauders haven’t yet had to contend with. If the Lions pull this off, make no mistake about it: the 1–2 punch of Fadare and Andrew Tauhid will be the reason why.

Can they do it? Find out Saturday at 7:00 pm live on OUA.tv.