LIONS CONVERGE ON KINGSTON LOOKING TO EXTEND WINNING STREAK IN PLAYOFF REMATCH WITH GAELS

Another road weekend for the Lions is on the horizon, this time in Kingston to face the Queen’s Gaels who are on a three game losing streak, the perfect opportunity for the Lions to dominate. After spending the weekend in Waterloo for a weekend series against the Waterloo Warriors, the Lions split the games 1-1, battling back on Saturday from a tough Friday evening.

Entering Friday evening 1-9, the Lions were looking for their second win of the year. Hanging right with the Warriors through the three sets, York was unable to secure a set, but showed great moments of volleyball. The first set was back-and-forth, as York’s Dennis Cota, Shaun Schonert and Daniel Lafleur lead the side, but a long rally to claim match point swayed in favour of Waterloo 25-23. The second and third sets mimicked the first, as York capitalized on some Waterloo mistakes, but not enough to get a set win, and the home side defeated the Lions 3-0.

Saturday looked very similar to Friday with the opening set being back-and-forth, neither team letting the other one get away. The Warriors got on a roll and took a 20-14 lead, but Dennis Cota and Alex Dorling worked to cut the deficit down, before Alex Ko added a kill and the game was 23-24 for the Warriors. Waterloo managed to get the winning point and took set one 25-23. York found their stride in the second set and Martin Prinsloo led the charge with 12 kills, winning the set 25-20. Set three looked similar to the second, with kills coming from Dorling, Lafleur and Jasraj Nijjar, stealing set three 25-21 and leading 2-1. The Warriors took a 10-4 lead in the fourth but the Lions were not worried. A couple of Prinsloo kills tied the game at 12, and stayed tied until the Lions took back the lead 23-21. Waterloo battled to tie it at 23, but York secured the final two points and the victory of the evening 3-1.

The Match-up:

Jan. 19 York (2-9) vs. Queen’s Gaels (7-3)

Jan. 20 York (2-9) vs. Queen’s Gaels (7-3)

Game Details:

Fri., Jan. 19 @ Queen’s (8:00 pm OUA.tv)
Sat., Jan. 20 @ Queen’s (8:00 pm OUA.tv)

Current Streaks:

York – Won 1

Queen’s – Loss 3

Quick Facts:

York:

Queen’s:

• Erik Siksna’s .371 hitting percentage leads the OUA
• The Gaels lead the OUA in service aces (107)
• Queen’s is 12th in the conference in digs (5.97)

Lions to Watch:

#12 DENNIS COTA: Second year middle-blocker… Playing in 10 matches this season, he leads the Lions with 79 kills on 183 total attacks… His 14 service aces is 7th in the OUA, averaging 0.33 services aces per set… He recorded a seasons high five services aces on Jan. 5 against the Guelph Gryphons… His seasons best 12 kills on Jan. 13 against Waterloo in the Lions 3-1 victory, secured him 14.5 and his efforts from the weekend earned him York Male Athlete of the Week for the period ending Jan. 14.

#9 DANIEL LAFLEUR: Second-year outside hitter… In his seven matches and 22 sets played this season, he has tallied five assists, 13 digs and 108 receptions… He recorded a seasons high 27 total attacks and 10 kills on Jan. 5 against the Guelph Gryphons, while securing 14 points for his side… He helped lead his red and white side to victory on Jan. 13 against the Waterloo Warriors with seven kills and two aces.