The University of Windsor Lancers men's volleyball team punched its ticket to the Forsyth Cup semifinals on Friday (Feb. 20) night, defeating the Waterloo Warriors in four sets at the Toldo Lancer Centre. Windsor earned the victory by set scores of 21–25, 25–13, 25–19, and 26–24 to officially advance.
GAME FLOW
After dropping the opening set 25–21, the Lancers responded with poise in the second, delivering one of their most complete sets of the night. Windsor hit .476 in the frame with 11 kills and just one error on 21 attempts, while limiting Waterloo to a negative attacking percentage to even the match. The blue and gold carried that momentum into the third, swinging at a .423 clip with 15 kills to seize control of the contest.
The fourth set proved to be a battle, as Waterloo mounted a late surge behind a .414 hitting percentage and loud and proud Windsor crowd.
"It was electric," said Lancer setter Markus Law-Heese. "To pull one together like that, it builds character for us. This place was lit up in the fourth set especially, it inspires us to do bigger and better things, for sure."
Windsor remained composed in pressure moments, posting 16 kills at a .364 efficiency and executing in key rallies to close out a tight 26–24 win. As a team, the Lancers hit .333 with 52 kills on 108 attempts, while adding seven service aces, 16 total blocks, and 39 digs in a balanced performance. Key plays from Darian Koskie, Kaden Reid, and Markus Law-Heese powered the Lancers to the fourth-set win, including a service ace by veteran Gustavo Siqueira to end the match.
STATS
Siqueira led all attackers with 16 kills on 32 swings for a .344 percentage, adding five service aces and 23 points. Kaden Reid recorded 12 kills at a .429 clip along with an ace and 15 points. Anthony Ivanovski was dominant in the middle with nine kills on 13 attempts for a .615 efficiency and three block assists, while Darian Koskie contributed nine kills and five total blocks. Conaire Taub added four kills and was a force at the net with two solo blocks and four block assists.
Reigning OUA Player of the Year Markus Law-Heese orchestrated the offence with 43 assists, adding two kills, six digs, and three block assists in a steady all-around effort. The Aurora, Ont. native was complementary of his teammates, adding, "Assists only happens if my boys put it down [...] they're the ones who register it on the set."
Noah Koskie anchored the backcourt with 11 digs, making key defensive stops as Windsor controlled critical rallies late.
UP NEXT
The Lancers advance to the OUA semifinals for the second consecutive season and will face the Western Mustangs on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Toldo Lancer Centre.
Law-Heese: "We're ready to go."
Tickets can be purchased online at golancers.ca/tickets, with the game available to be streamed online at oua.tv.
