Coming off a weekend sweep against the Trent Excalibur, the York University Lions men’s volleyball team is in search of extending their winning ways as they travel to Kingston to take on the RMC Paladins.
On Friday evening, York welcomed in the Excalibur to the Lions Den and York dominated from the start. The opening set started off tight, but the Lions gained a 21-16 edge before Trent caught up. Dennis Cota delivered a big kill, followed by Jordan Gazzola who secured the 25-21 set win. A tight second set was tied at five but the Lions broke away 13-8, and the Excalibur could not hang in with the Lions who won set two, 25-19. Trent worked to push back in the third set, but the Lions were a well oiled machine and Noah Halladay’s match point led the Lions to a 3-0 victory.
Working for a weekend sweep, the two teams met again on Saturday in Tait McKenzie Centre, York writing the same script as the night before. The Lions had a 10-3 lead which was extended due to a delivery of five consecutive kills from Daniel Lafleur. A dominant opening set, Jasraj Nijjar had 14 assists, aiding in the Lions 25-15 set one win. Off to a similar start in set two, York broke away eight points ahead of Trent, but the Excalibur closed in the scoreline 16-13. York regained control and went on to win the second set 25-18. Up 2-0, the Lions were focused on completing a weekend sweep, but the third was tightly contested. A back-and-forth match, the game was tied 12-12 until the Lions made a 10-3 point run. Alex Dorling delivered three consecutive kills and York sealed a 3-0 victory.
The Match-up:
Feb. 2 York (4-11) vs. RMC Paladins (0-16)
Feb. 3 York (4-11) vs. RMC Paladins (0-16)
Game Details:
Fri., Feb. 2 @ RMC (6:00 pm)
Sat., Fab. 3 @ RMC (2:00 pm)
Current Streaks:
York – Won 2
RMC – Loss 16
Quick Facts:
York:
- The Lions 79 service aces is 5th in the OUA
- York’s 58 Block solo is 5th in the conference
- Dennis Cota is 3rd in the OUA in Block solo (15)
RMC:
- RMC’s 1224 total attacks is 12th in the OUA
- The Paladins are 13th in the conference in hitting percentage (.160)
- RMC’s 316 digs is 13th in the OUA
Lions to Watch:
#13 ALEX KO: Second-year outside hitter… In 13 matches played this season and 48 sets, he is 19th in the OUA in receptions with 209, and 20th with 79 digs… On Jan. 26 against Trent in the Lions 3-0 victory, he led the team with 12 kills and 12 digs, with 23 total attacks and a .348 hitting percentage, he secured 13.0 points… He recorded a seasons high .591 hitting percentage on Jan. 27 against Trent, leading the Lions with 15 kills on 22 total attacks.
#10 JASRAJ NIJJAR: Third-year setter… Playing in 13 sets and 50 matches, he is 10th in the oUA with 378 assists, which is good for 7.56 assists per set and 10th in the conference… He had a combined 62 assists between Jan. 26-27 against the Trent Excalibur where he also earned three kills on six total attacks and added 4.5 points to his total, while leading the Lions on Jan. 27 with six digs.