Rams challenge leading Lakers but fall in three sets

NORTH BAY, Ont. – The Rams men’s volleyball team pushed themselves in three tight sets against the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night, which ultimately ended in a tough 3-0 loss.

Nipissing is ranked at the top of the OUA East division and tied for first in the league, and the Rams pushed themselves and demonstrated impressive offensive numbers and endurance on the court nonetheless.

The first set started strong, with both teams going back and forth in kills and errors. Nipissing started to break away with a lead halfway through, despite the Rams racking up a significantly higher number of kills and attacks. Rams middle Alex Lengweiler earned five points, hitting an average of .800 per cent. Still, the Lakers dominated the set 25-21.

The Rams kept the energy consistent in the second set. Matching every Nipissing point with one of their own, at 12 points each, the team took the lead after two assertive blocks by Lengweiler. The lead was short-lived, however, and the Lakers managed to come back and finish off the set with a strong kill by Liam Ludlow. 

Stamina and perseverance kept the Rams alive in a lengthy and tight third set. Once the score had reached the twenties, intensity increased as both teams fought hard in a neck-and-neck game to outscore the other. Staying in match point through 30 back-and-forth points, the Rams stayed heavy on attacks, as did the Lakers. Rams Alex King and Derek Webster stepped up on offence, totalling 18 and 20 attacks by the end of the game, respectively. Eventually, Nipissing’s Jackson Young went in for the kill and game-winner, and the Lakers took the set 37-35.

The Rams will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon, when they face Nipissing once more for their last game of the fall portion of the season. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. and you can support the team at OUA.tv.