The defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champion York men’s volleyball team defeated first-place Ryerson, 3-2, on Thursday night. The loss was just the second of the season for the Rams. Sholan Trivedi led York with 17 kills and four blocks. The Lions won their second match in a row with a 3-0 victory over Waterloo on Saturday. Paul Podstawka (left), normally an outside hitter, was moved to setter for both matches last week following injuries to regulars Brad Girardo and Reid Hall. Podstawka filled in admirably and was named Sport York Male Athlete of the Week for his efforts. The Lions improved to 7-5 with the victories and will visit Laurier on Wednesday before hosting Western on Saturday (2pm) in a rematch of last year’s OUA Championship.
The women’s volleyball team split a pair of matches last week, defeating Ryerson, 3-0, on Thursday and losing, 3-0, to Toronto on Sunday. Nicole Carleton-Burnham and Meghan O’Doherty paced the Lions with seven kills each against Ryerson. Carleton-Burnham recorded a team-high eight kills in the loss to Toronto, while Antonia Stathakos had an impressive 27 digs. The Lions (7-4) travel to Brock on Wednesday and Ottawa on Saturday.
Right: York’s Brenan Rurak is challenged by a Brock opponent (photo by Andrew Craig)
The women’s basketball team remains in first place in the OUA East Division following a weekend split. Elspeth Cheng scored a game-high 17 points in Friday’s 58-50 loss to defending OUA Champion Guelph. Third-year guard Brenan Rurak led the Lions with an impressive 24-point, 12-rebound and three-block performance in Saturday’s 68-62 victory over Brock. Laura MacCallum added 17 points and five rebounds for the Lions. York (10-3) hosts Ryerson on Friday and Toronto on Saturday in Sport York’s 3rd Annual Staff, Faculty and Alumni Appreciation Night. Both games are scheduled for 6pm at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
The men’s basketball team also earned a weekend split. Tut Ruach had a solid overall night, scoring 20 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 71-51 win over Guelph on Friday. Guard Rohan Steen finished with a game-high 21 points, while going 9-of-11 from the floor. Ruach scored a team-high 16 points, while adding five rebounds in Saturday’s hard-fought 67-60 loss to 10th-ranked Brock. Jordan Foebel finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, while newcomer Amde Evans recorded 12 points and seven boards. York (6-7) hosts Ryerson on Friday and Toronto on Saturday in Sport York’s 3rd Annual Staff, Faculty and Alumni Appreciation Night. Both games follow the women’s game at 8pm at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
The Lions track and field teams recorded six personal best and eight OUA qualifying performances at the Can Am Classic at the University of Windsor last weekend. Dane Clark was third in the men’s 60-metres with a personal best time of 7.07. The men’s squad is ranked ninth in Canada, while the women are ranked 12th. Both will compete at the Toronto Track Classic on Saturday.
The men’s hockey team split a home-and-home series with the Brock Badgers last week. In Thursday’s 3-2 victory, York got goals from Matt Passfield, Marcus Smith and Sean Langdon. Goaltender Kevin Druce made 27 saves, including several key stops late in regulation to pick up the win. The Lions fell behind, 3-0, after the first period in Saturday’s 3-2 loss. Tyler Harrison and Marcus Smith found the back of the net for York, while Druce made 29 saves. The Lions (8-6-1-2) will host Guelph on Saturday at the Ice Gardens at 2pm.
The women’s hockey team defeated Carleton, 2-1, in overtime in an exhibition contest on Saturday. Jessica Turi scored the winner 30 seconds into the extra frame. Michelle Guy had the other York goal, while Mel Quinn and Seanna Conway shared the goaltending duties for the Lions, combining to make 17 saves with Conway picking up the victory. On Sunday, York fell, 4-0, to seventh-ranked Toronto in league action. Quinn suffered her first loss of the season, making 39 saves. The Lions (4-6-4) host Toronto on Wednesday (7:30pm) and Waterloo on Sunday (2pm) at the Ice Gardens. York will also host an exhibition game against the Toronto Jr. Aeros on Saturday (6pm).
This article was submitted to YFile by Jim McLarty, sport & recreation information officer in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science.