The York University Lions women’s volleyball team returned from their holiday break in top form as they earned a dramatic five-set victory against the Queen’s Gaels in the first of a two game double-header at their home court.
After losing the first set by 25-15, the Lions bounced back and took the second and third sets by 25-23 and 25-19 respectively. The fourth set went to the Gaels as they held a 25-20 victory. The Gaels then held on all the way to the last touch of the ball, but it was the Lions who ultimately triumphed in an exciting 17-15 conclusion.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
There were some extended rallies early with some solid hustle from both sides, but it was Queen’s jumping out to an 8-3 lead. Midway through the first set, the Lions ratcheted up their defence to get back into the game, but the Gaels responded and took the first set 25-15
The Lions came out firing in the second set with Jessica Reynolds serving in five consecutive points to make it 6-2 to York. Later, consecutive blocks from Queen’s on attacks by Reynolds and Olivia Kim resulted in an 11-11 tie. The second set remained tight, with the score eventually reaching 23-23. THe Lions had the last two points, and the last laugh, to take a 25-23 victory. Alisa Trubyuk scored the crucial kill to put the Lions back even at a set apiece.
In the third set, the Lions took a 13-10 lead with four consecutive kills from Kim, Amarai Endes and Reynolds. They held that lead for the remainder of the set, taking a 25-19 third-set victory and going up 2-1
The Lions were unable to put the Gaels away, however, as they evened things up with a 25-20 victory in the fourth set to extend the match to a fifth and deciding set.
In that final set, York saw themselves go up 10-7 thanks to two consecutive kills by Kim who was set up by substitute setter Tyneille Swaby. Then, just as the Queens were about to complete the comeback, it was Jessica Reynolds and Alisa Trubyuk who scored the final points (both set up by Chiara Da Silva) to clinch the victory for the Lions with a 17-15 win in the final set and a 3-2 victory
LOOKING AHEAD:
The victory against Queen’s has given the Lions their fourth consecutive win with a total record of 6-4. Their next game will see them play these same Queen’s Gaels again in the second game of the double-header weekend. The game is set to be played on Saturday, January 7, at 6:00PM from the Tait McKenzie Centre.