Box Score After beginning their season on the road, the Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball returned home this weekend for a pair of matches.
The Lakers hosted the Waterloo Warriors for two, starting with Friday night’s contest.
Despite cruising their way to a 2-0 lead, the Lakers eventually fell in five, hard-fought sets, coming up just short in their home opener.
Nipissing wasted little time getting the jump on Waterloo.
And thanks to a complete effort, they came away with a 25-19 win to go up 1-0 in the match.
The second set was in control almost from the start.
While it took some time, the Lakers really did blow it up, leading 19-8 midway through the set and cruising to a 25-12 victory to go up 2-0 in the match.
Waterloo looked to extend the lead in the third, grabbing a quick 4-1 lead on Nipissing.
Nipissing stormed back and led 9-7 and the teams found themselves even at 15-15 midway through the set.
The Warriors pulled away late, grabbing a 21-18 lead, eventually winning 25-23 on a controversial call that took the game from 24-24, to a win for Waterloo.
In the fourth, the Lakers fought their way to a 14-12 lead, but trailed 20-18 late in the set.
The teams traded points late in the set, with Waterloo holding on to a late one point lead, up 23-22.
Waterloo stayed alive with a 25-23 win, forcing a fifth and deciding set.
In the fifth, the Warriors got the jump on Nipissing, grabbing an early 5-2 lead as they propelled themselves to a 15-7 win, coming all the way back to take the match.
Jacob Ringma had 12 kills to lead the Lakers, while Tyrus Cuculick and Justice Smith each added 10 in the contest.
The Lakers and Warriors wrap up their weekend set Saturday.
Match time is set for 6pm at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre.