Box Score The Warriors used a complete team effort to come out on top 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24) over the York Lions in their home opener on Friday night at the PAC. Â Three different Warriors reached double figures in kills while
Jordan McConkey (Stratford) was huge at the net in the middle to lift Waterloo to the victory. Â The Warriors moved to 1-1 on the young season while York fell to 2-1.
The opening set was all Waterloo as they jumped out to the 22-15 lead but the next four points would go the way of the visitors to make the set closer than the Warriors would have liked. Â The two teams would go back and forth the next couple of points before McConkey put away the set with one of his four kills in the match.
Waterloo would continue their momentum into the second set grabbing an early 9-2 lead but the scrappy Lions would claw their way back into the set and eventually even things at 15-apiece. Â The two combatants would go toe-to-toe down the stretch but new Warrior
Greg Simone (London) had seen enough and took over late with three straight kills to give Waterloo the second set, 25-23 and a commanding 2-0 lead.
Although the Warriors looked poised for a sweep of their arch rivals, the Lions had other ideas and continued to battle in the third set. Â Outside hitter Arthur Szwarc led the way with several big time kills to give York a 20-13 lead. Â The Warriors would make a bid for the comeback but the set was too far gone and York would take it 25-19.
The fourth set would see the Lions jump out to a 12-7 lead and a fifth and deciding set was looming over the Warriors head but eight of the next nine points would go to the home side, giving them a 15-13 lead. Â Waterloo would maintain their two point lead throughout the remainder of the set and a McConkey,
Gibson Graham (Markham) block would seal the deal for the Warriors, winning the fourth and deciding set 26-24.
Leading the attack for Waterloo was
Greg Simone (London) and
Braden Cok (Waterloo) who each tallied 12 kills while
Aidan Simone (London) finished the game with 11 and
Trevor Coathup (Ottawa), nine. Â
Erich Woolley (New Dundee) and Graham shared defensive responsibilities with 12 digs each while Graham finished with 43 assists.
For York, Szwarc led the way with 13 kills while Tyler Covach had 12. Â Tim Jensen was also in double figures with 10. Â Setter Logan Mend was just as strong as Graham with 40 assists in the loss.
Waterloo will be back at it tomorrow against Nipissing for another 7pm game in the PAC. Â The game can be seen live on OUA.tv.
