With the OUA sports season kicking off, Excalibur takes a look at the five must see games this fall.
5. OUA Tennis Championship, men’s and women’s teams, October 11-13
One of the great luxuries of attending York is having one of the best tennis facilities in Canada right on campus. After travelling abroad since 2010, the OUA tennis championships returns to York in 2013. Lions’ tennis players will enjoy the comforts of home as they compete for an OUA gold amongst some of the top players in the nation.
4. Guelph vs. York, men’s volleyball, October 18, Tait MacKenzie Gymnasium, 8 p.m.
For the first time in a long time, the Lions men’s volleyball team will take to the court with a different head coach running the show. Wally Dyba, coach of the Lions for 36 seasons, has decided to take a year off to rest, turning control of the team over to his son Rob Dyba, who has been on the Lions coaching staff for the past few seasons. Heshould be able to make the transition smooth. But still, I am sure it will be a weird sight for players and fans alike without Wally’s presence on the sideline during York’s season opener against Guelph.
3. Mac vs. York, men’s soccer, October 5, York Stadium, 3 p.m.
The York Lions’ 2012 soccer season came to a sudden and shocking finish, with the Lions failing to advance to the OUA finals after finishing the season without a loss. York settled for bronze, while the McMaster Marauders went on to claim gold against the Carleton Ravens. York and McMaster finished number one and two in the OUA standing last season, and this October 5 match-up will be a great measuring stick for both teams in preparation for the OUA playoffs.
2. Ottawa vs. York, women’s volleyball, November 3, Tait MacKenzie Gymnasium, 2 p.m.
The Lions volleyball team steamrolled through all oncomers last season, losing only one regular season game to the Guelph Gryphons. Although the Lions were able to handle the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the regular season, York’s winning run was ended at the hands of Ottawa in last year’s OUA gold-medal final. Revenge will be a common theme heading into this match as two of the top teams in the country collide.
1. U of T vs. York, football, October 10, York Stadium, 7 p.m.
Not much needs to be said at York when it comes to the University of Toronto. From day one of Frosh week we are taught we don’t like them, and they don’t like us. The gridiron feud between the Varsity Blues and Lions for many years was a game built around pride, but now that both teams have begun to compete amongst the other programs in the OUA, the game means that much more. With the addition of the game being played at night in front of the home crowd, the 2013 edition of what’s known as the Red and Blue bowl should be a classic.
