Exhibition: York Lions open home tournament with two victories

TORONTO - The York University Lions men's volleyball team had a fantastic start at the 32nd annual Excalibur Volleyball Classic, capturing two victories on the first day of competition at the Tait McKenzie Centre.

After compiling two wins on Tuesday (Dec. 28), the Lions lead Pool A with a 2-0 record and ensured their spot in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.

They began the day with a 3-0 win over Budo University, a team visiting from Japan. The Lions won the match by scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 25-23.

Team captain Karim Khalil (Mississauga, Ont.) was the star of the match, dominating his Japanese rivals with 13 kills in the victory.

In York's evening match, the Lions took a close 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11) victory over OUA rivals the Windsor Lancers.

In the first set, the Lions struggled with little mistakes and violations, which put them down 16-8 early. However, thanks to some great plays from rookies Paul Jakubiak (Toronto) and Nikola Sandic (Etobicoke, Ont.), the Lions tied the game 18-18.

However, the Lancers would hold off the Lions charge to earn the first set victory.

In the second set, neither the Lancers or Lions could break more than three points ahead of their opponents. The Lions also made fewer mistakes and it paid off to even the match at one set apiece.

After dropping the third set to the Lancers, first-year Lions outside hitter Ray Szeto (Sutton, Ont.) stepped up his game, nailing perfect shots while holding strong with his blocks. York took the fourth set 25-20.

York got off to a slow start in the final set, dropping 4-0 to the Lancers. However, the Lions earned seven consecutive points to take the lead from their rivals for good, earning the 3-2 match victory.

Szeto had a brilliant game, blasting his opponents with 24 kills.

The Lions will wrap up round-robin play against the Sherbrooke Vert et Or on Wednesday at 1pm.

The Windsor Lancers and Budo finished with a 1-1 record and will play each other on Wednesday at 1pm with the victor advancing the other semifinal. Sherbrooke was defeated in both of its matches on Tuesday and will play in the consolation semifinals.

In Pool B, the Western Mustangs and the New Brunswick Varsity Reds both finished the day with 2-0 records and have already secured their places in Wednesday's semifinals. The two teams will face off for first place in their pool in the final round-robin match. The Ryerson Rams and Montreal Carabins both went 0-2 on the first day of competition and will play in the consolation side of the draw when round-robin action concludes.

32nd Annual Excalibur Volleyball Classic – Day 1 Results

York Lions def. Budo (Japan) 3-0
25-23, 25-23, 25-23

York Lions def. Windsor Lancers 3-2
22-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11

New Brunswick Varsity Reds def. Ryerson Rams 3-0
25-12, 25-13, 30-28

Windsor Lancers def. Sherbrooke Vert et Or 3-1
25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-23

Western Mustangs def. Montreal Carabins 3-1
21-25, 27-25, 25-17, 25-23

Western Mustangs def. Ryerson Rams 3-0
25-20, 27-25, 25-18

New Brunswick Varsity Reds def. Montreal Carabins 3-0
25-19, 25-21, 25-21

Budo (Japan) def. Sherbrooke Vert et Or 3-1
25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-23