LIONS HOLD COURT WITH SECOND STRAIGHT SWEEP OF PALADINS, MOVE INTO FINAL OUA PLAYOFF SPOT

The York University Lions men’s volleyball team was looking for its fourth straight win on Saturday afternoon in their second game of the weekend against the RMC Paladins.

Success in that endeavour would, at least temporarily, move the Lions ahead of the TMU Bold for the OUA’s ninth and final playoff spot – a new wrinkle for 2023-24 – pending the result of TMU’s game at Waterloo later on Saturday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions scored 10 of the match’s first 12 points to take a quick 10-2 lead. However, RMC responded with an extended run of their own, embarking on a 16-9 spurt that trimmed the Lions lead down to one at 19-18. Despite that mid-set adversity, the Lions were able to withstand the Paladin push and take the opening set 25-20.
• The second set was much closer throughout, with both teams essentially trading points in the early portions of the set. With the score tied at 14, York put some separation between itself and the Paladins with three straight points to go up 17-14. York eventually took a 24-19 advantage, but four straight points from the home side brought them to within one, 24-23. The Lions, though, responded with the final point to take a 2-0 lead.
• The squads went toe-to-toe again in the third, with neither giving an inch early on. With the score tied at 10, RMC scored three straight times to grab their largest lead of the day at 13-10. However, the visitors rallied with four of the next five points to pull back even at 14. The Lions went on to outscore the Paladins 11-6 from there on out, taking the third 25-20 and the match in straight sets.
• The Lions were led offensively by the duo of Dennis Cota and Alex Ko, who had seven kills apiece in the win. Defensively, it was libero Robert Kemp posting a team-best five digs in the victory.
• With TMU’s four-set loss to Waterloo, the Lions move into sole possession of 9th in the OUA.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Next up for the Lions is a trip to Windsor for a pair of games with the Windsor Lancers. The games, next Friday and Saturday night, are scheduled for 8:00 pm.