By Andrew Papadopoulos

They are one of the two last remaining Windsor Lancers varsity teams in pursuit of a championship banner for the 2022-23 season. 
 
The No. 7 ranked nationally in U SPORTS Lancer men's volleyball team is getting set to host the No.9 ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues for a third time in 2023, this time in the OUA semi-finals Saturday at the Toldo Lancer Centre.  
 
This meeting will serve to be arguably the biggest test of the season for the blue and gold who split their January weekend series with the Blues earlier this year. 
 
The back-to-back contests at the Toldo Lancer Centre on January 20th and 21st respectively went to five-set in each game where Windsor lost the first meeting but bounced back less than 24 hours on the next day in similar dramatic five-set thrilling fashion. 
 
Fresh off last weekend's quarter final victory over the Western Mustangs at home in sweeping fashion of a 3-0 match score, Lancer MVB head coach James Gravelle, felt his team's efforts were well reflected and rewarded as such with the recent win in Windsor to qualify for the OUA Final Four or labelled simply as a semi-final showdown. 
 
"It was a good performance by the boys versus Western," Gravelle positively remarked when asked to assess his team's recent performance against the Mustangs. 
 
"The quarters are always stressful, especially as the higher seed (with increased expectations put upon us as the hosts), and I was overall impressed with the focus of our entire group."
 
Coach Gravelle also believes that there are components from the Western game that need to be carried over to the upcoming Toronto match up. 
 
"Serving and passing were strengths and those are always two phases you want to have in your favour."  Gravelle added who has been leading the Lancers men's volleyball program since 2013. 
 
"Hence, we need to execute and do that again on Saturday (against Toronto)."
 
Toronto qualified for the semi-finals with a respectable 3-1 home win over the Nipissing Lakers last weekend at the Goldring Centre in the provincial capital.  This time around they will likely have their work cut out for them with the Lancers anticipated to be just as tough of an opponent to face while this time on the road to once again visit the TLC. 
 
With it being another high-stakes game for both sides with a dual two-for-one prize up for grabs to be awarded to the winner of this marquee matchup matinee which includes a guaranteed spot to play in the Forsyth Cup Final and a U SPORTS Nationals berth at McMaster in Hamilton. 
 
Both teams are intently keen on looking to put forth their preparation and development from prior matches all season long to go into this levelled playing field rematch affair which promises to be another arduous clash between two league titans during prime-time hours.
 
"Toronto presents several challenges for us." Coach Gravelle asserted when asked about how his team matches up with the Varsity Blues. 
 
"Like our team, they are a well-balanced and veteran team who pass and defend well.  They won't beat themselves and they travel well.  They are well coached and are always game for the fight, so we know what we're up against with them."
 
Coach Gravelle also points out that Toronto has been involved in tough battles already this year so the blue and gold will need to anticipate a fight until the end.
 
"They have plenty of big match experience and they know what to expect having played two tough matches here earlier this semester." Gravelle evaluated regarding the Varsity Blues testament as a team this season.
 
"These are the fun match-ups.  Two teams at the top of their game at the right time of year trying to cement their legacies.  It should be some excellent volleyball and I know our home fans will answer the bell again, as they did last weekend.  What more could we ask for?"
 
This is certainly the type of game that post-secondary varsity teams at this calibre look forward to competing in the most all year long and amidst a deep post-season run.  With competitive spirits high and anticipation even higher, a good turnout is both necessary and expected to come out to the TLC on Saturday night to support the Lancer Family's MVB squad in action for likely the final game of the inaugural season at the Toldo Lancer Centre.
 
For fans who cannot be in attendance for Saturday's semi-final showdown, with the first serve slated for 7:00pm, you can still be aboard the Lancers Playoff Train with the game also be broadcasted live on oua.tv for fans to tune in from wherever they are located.