Zain Rashid | Staff Writer
Featured Image: The Lions men produced a quality performance but closely lost their quarterfinal playoff match at McMaster. | Courtesy of YorkU Lions
York’s men’s and women’s volleyball teams kicked off their 2019 OUA post-season this past weekend. On Saturday, the women’s team travelled to Waterloo, where they lost to the Warriors in a disappointing, 3-0 defeat. The men’s team travelled to Hamilton to face off against the McMaster Marauders and were defeated 3-1.
Having ended the regular season on a high note last weekend, the Lions were hoping to carry the momentum into their first-round matchups. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as they were unfortunately knocked out in their first games.
In the women’s game, the Lions scored the first point, attempting to put the Warriors under pressure early in the game. However, the lead proved temporary as the Warriors came from behind to lead the Lions at the mid-break point. Towards the end of the first set, the Warriors already had a 10-point lead. York tried to catch up, but were only able to reduce the deficit to eight points, as they fell 25-17.
The Lions were facing one of the toughest teams in the tournament, which was made even more evident in the second set.
The Lions once again trailed the Warriors by the mid-break point, as Waterloo had total control of the game. Despite an attempt to reconcile the huge difference in the score, the Lions still lost the second set by seven points.
Down 2-0, the Lions had no option but to throw everything they had into the third set. The Lions started the set dominantly after an attack error committed by the Warriors and a service ace by Sarah Williams allowed York to build a 3-1 lead.
The Warriors recaptured the lead before the mid-break point until another strong comeback attempt by York knotted things up at 15-each.
In the end, however, the Warriors scored five unanswered points to win the third 25-18, and the game overall, in straight sets.
In the men’s game, despite the fact the Lions were facing the Number four nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders, they were fresh off a couple of great victories and were hoping to repeat those performances.
The confidence and momentum from the previous two games allowed the Lions to gain an early lead over the Marauders. Despite this early success, it was the Mac who lead 16-12 at the mid-break point.
The Lions kept persisting and tied the game at 17, and again at 20. Grant Lynch and Aleksander Grzegorczyk’s blocks proved to be decisive in the end, as they allowed the Lions to win 27-25 in a fiercely contested first set.
The second set also featured an incredible performance from the Lions, as they led the Marauders early, until Mac tied things up at 7. Despite trailing at the mid-break point, the Lions were able to once again tie the game at 18 thanks to a brilliant display of teamwork.
The Lions gave Mac an extremely tough time, but ended up two points short, as they fell 25-23.
The third set turned the tables as the Marauders were able to gain a massive lead early on. The Lions attempted a comeback, but, due to attack errors, the game slipped out of reach. The Marauders took advantage, and won the set 25-15.
The fourth set was closely fought as both teams displayed brilliant performances. It was Mac in the end that took the game away from York 25-19 and qualified for the second round.
Both Lions’ teams will aim to build on their success from this year next season.
