The York University Lions women’s volleyball team resumed their 2023-24 season at home on Friday night against the Guelph Gryphons where they fell in a dramatic and tightly contested match. Despite initially taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the game, the Lions ultimately faced a disappointing turn of events, falling short to the Gryphons 3-2.
HOW IT HAPPEND:
The Lions got off on the right foot, establishing a 7-1 lead early in the game. However, midway through the set, the Gryphons found their groove and trimmed the deficit to 16-13 on a Briar Crerar kill. Despite this, the Lions maintained control of the set, as the first-year outside hitter Kianna Drewniak posted three straight kills that was enough for the Lions to seal the first set 25-18.
Amarai Endes entered the set second with hot hands, three consecutive blocks and earning three points for York, propelling the Lions to a 4-1 lead. Building on this momentum, the Lions sustained their dominance throughout the remainder of the set, ultimately securing a 25-16 victory in the second set, courtesy of a decisive kill by Endes.
The Gryphons grabbed their first lead of the night off a kill by Leah Stewart to attain a 6-5 lead. From there, the visitors fired onto a 9-0 run to gain a 13-4 lead with Nikina Bear-Lowen’s service aces. Despite an 8-3 run of their own to trim the contest to 15-10, the Lions were unable to match the Gryphons as they took the third set 25-15, forcing a fourth set.
The Lions were unable to put the Gryphons away in the fourth set after the visitors found themselves up 19-13. From there, the visitors evened things up with a 25-17 victory to extend the match to a fifth and decisive set.
The fifth set got underway in a tight back-and-forth engagement with both teams tied up at 8. The teams exchanged points, and with Mia Miskovic’s impactful plays, Guelph secured a 15-12 victory making it 3 sets for Guelph and 2 for York.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will search for their second win of the season and their first of the new year, when they host the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday, Jan. 6. The first serve is set for 6:00 pm at the Tait McKenzie Centre.