Who made it and who didn’t?

Victoria Alarcon
Sports & Health Editor
This season in sports can be best summed up as a rollercoaster where the ups never ended.  There have been tough losses that hurt teams and triumphant wins that have allowed them to rise to the top.  But when it comes down to the final result, here are the teams who made it and those who got left behind.
In – Women’s Volleyball
The team finished their season with 14 wins and five losses, topping the eastern conference with 28 points. With an undefeated streak in the start of the season, the women were able to finish the last of their regular season games with a win against Waterloo, 3-1.
The team’s success to this point came from unstoppable players like team captain Sarah Sutton and their number one point leader, Brandie Wilkerson. With a first place rank, the women are in a good position moving into the playoffs and have a good chance of winning their second Ontario Uni- versity Athletics (OUA) champion- ship title in the last 10 years.

In – Men’s Basketball
Despite their recent loss to the Queen’s Gaels, the men have been able to secure a spot in the much-anticipated playoffs this year, winning more games than they did last year. The success has come from the team’s ability to improve on their defensive skills and make the shots.
Their toughest opponent is still the Carleton Ravens, who they have yet to defeat – a team the York Lions may need to play in the playoffs. The team, however, does have the potential, with players like Stefan Haynes and David Tyndale. The York Lions have one more game this season against the Laurentian Voyageurs this Feb. 18 before the season wraps-up.

Out – Women’s Hockey
Following in the men’s footsteps, the women were unable to make it to the playoffs this year. The outcome came after a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Varsity Blues, who were able to skate past York’s defence and net three goals halfway through the game. When it came down to it, the York Lions have a lot of young players on the ice, and, lacking their team captain these last few games of the season, the women were unable to finish games strong.

Out – Men’s Hockey
This year the team was elimi- nated from the playoffs after a disappointing performance from the players all season. The York Lions were unable to keep a steady rhythm in games, letting mental fatigue and a lack of discipline cost them several wins. The team’s two five-game losing streaks during the season put the York hockey players near the bottom of the ranks. The York Lions finished with a 10-18 record, ending up in last place in the Western conference with 22 points. Their best hope of making it to the playoffs next year is rebuilding the team and training hard.

Undecided – Women’s Basketball
The women are in a tough position at the moment, tied for the last playoff spot with the Queen’s Gaels. The team has been inconsistent these last few games, just recently getting out of a nine-game losing streak. Their inability to work as a team and get the momentum building has caused the York players to move down in the standings in these last few months. The women may still have a chance at making it to the playoffs if they surpass the Laurentian Voyageurs on Feb. 18 and win against Queen’s in a playoff contention match, but the women will have to play a flawless game from start to finish.

Out – Men’s Volleyball
Despite two wins in their last two away games on Feb. 11 and 12, the men’s volleyball team didn’t qualify for the playoffs this season, losing out on a postseason spot by two points. The team finished the year with a record of 7-13, making it the third season that the Lions have failed to qualify for the playoffs.
The boys held their own, but unfortunately couldn’t keep up the pressure. The season started off strong then went on to become a lacklustre middle, and ultimately fell short in their comeback at the end. The team didn’t hit their stride until late in the season and that cost them, but there is hope that the young team will make it to the playoffs next year as many players return to the team.