LIONS WIN FIRST PLAYOFF GAME IN EIGHT YEARS, TAKE OUA QUARTER-FINAL IN FOUR SETS OVER GAELS

Well worth the wait.

The York University Lions men’s volleyball team defeated the Queen’s Gaels 3-1 in their first home playoff game since 2018 to advance to the OUA semi-finals, winning their first playoff game in eight years in the process. Andrew Tauhid and Josh Fadare led their team to the quarter finals win, with Daniel LaFleur stepping up to replace the injured Luke De Greeff. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Alex Dorling opened the scoring in the first set, scoring a kill that roused the crowd and set the tone for the first. The Gaels were up 9-7 in the first set, and the Lions would respond, scoring eight of the next nine points to go up 15-10.York’s largest first-set lead was six, and the set ended 25-21 on a kill by Tauhid. That put the Lions up 1-0
• Fadare scored the second set’s first point after an enthralling rally. A fake by Jasraj Nijjar gave him the space to score. Queens took a three point lead after several attacking errors on the Lions end cost them early in the opening points. The Gaels took the second set after amassing a 10 point lead that frustrated York. The set ended 25-15.
• The third set was a competitive contest, both teams wouldn’t give each other an inch, Tauhid scored a kill that gave York an all-important two point lead after an incredible display of volleyball. The very next play saw Fadare do the same after a beautiful bit of athleticism from both teams. In fitting fashion York eked out the win on another Tauhid kill to win their second set 26-24 and go up 2-1.
• Much like the third, the final set was a back-and-forth affair. The Lions ultimately came out winners with another 26-24 victory after an attacking error saw Queen’s hit the ball out of bounds. Daniel LaFleur and Alex Ko held down the fort on the final play to see that the Lions advanced to the semis.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“We played very tactically, stayed disciplined in our game plan and came out the victor. When we lost the second set, I just told them to keep it together and keep doing what we’ve been doing all year.” — head coach David Ta

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will face the winner of the TMU Bold and the McMaster Marauders in the semifinals next Saturday. If TMU wins, York will host; if McMaster wins, the game will be in Hamilton.