YORK WELCOMES WINDSOR FOR FINAL WEEKEND OF REGULAR SEASON WITH OUA’s NO. 2 SEED ON THE LINE

The York University Lions men’s volleyball team has clinched home court advantage in Round 1 of the 2023 OUA playoffs. This will be their best finish since they went 17-1 in the regular season before being bounced in the second round of the playoffs in 2012-13. They will look to win their first playoff match since 2015 when they defeated the Windsor Lancers in five sets, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win the OUA bronze medal and advance to the U SPORTS championships.
 
Speaking of Windsor – that’s who the Lions will welcome into Tait McKenzie Centre for the final two games of the regular season. The Lancers are currently 14-4, have won six straight matches and are second in the OUA standings. With a pair of victories over the Lancers this weekend, York will finish second in the conference and have the potential of hosting two playoff matches. A split of the weekend plus a Toronto loss to McMaster means York will finish third, while two losses to Windsor and/or a Varsity Blues win over the undefeated Marauders means the Lions slot in fourth.
 
Saturday night’s contest will serve as the annual grad game for the Lions. While there are no official graduates, Andrew Tauhid – who received his graduation plaque last year – will be honoured for his accomplishments as a Lion. Tauhid scored his 1000th career OUA point on Feb. 4 vs. Guelph, and will be departing York after this season.
 
The Matchup: 
Feb. 17-18: York (12-6) vs. Windsor (14-4)
 
Game Details:
Fri., Feb. 17 vs. Windsor (8:00 pm – OUA.tv)
Sat., Feb. 18 vs. Windsor (8:00 pm – OUA.tv)
 
Current Streaks:
Windsor – Won 6
York – Lost 1
 
Quick Facts
 
York: 

• The Lions have committed the fourth-fewest total errors in the OUA (318).
• York is also fourth in the OUA in hitting percentage (.268).
• The Lions are third in the province in aces per set (1.65).

Windsor:

• The Lancers lead the OUA in aces (107).
• Windsor has committed the third-fewest reception errors in the OUA (69).
• The Lancers are fifth in the conference in digs (648). 

Players to Watch:
 
York:
#2 JOSH FADARE: Second-year outside hitter… Has missed six of the last seven matches for the Lions, but is ready to return Friday against the Lancers… Even with all that missed time, he still ranks second on the Lions in kills with 174… Has posted 20 or more kills on four separate occasions this season… His 4.74 kills per set is second in the OUA… Is also third on the Lions in digs with 69.

#17 ALEX DORLING: First-year middle blocker… Ranks fourth in the Lions in kills with 80… Posted a career-high 10 kills on Jan. 27 at Brock… The next night, he put up a career-best seven total blocks against the Badgers… His career high in aces is five, which came on Feb. 3 at Trent.