NORTH YORK, Ont. - Fundamentals are the key to success.

A team can have all the talent in the world, but errors at inopportune times can cost a team a rally, a set, or a match.

The Seneca Sting fell victim to errors at inopportune times on Saturday afternoon in their match against the Loyalist Lancers. Despite posting similar attacks, digs, aces and digs, the Sting were swept by the Lancers.

The first set started off with the two teams exchanging points with neither able to gain more than a two-point advantage. The first three-point lead came when Ben Hoftyzer scored on back-to-back serves to give the Lancers a 10-7 lead. Seneca's Tyler McMath (Mississauga, Ont.) responded with attacking serves which tied the set at 10-10. A run by the Lancers gave them a 17-13 lead, leading to a Seneca timeout. The timeout could not stop the momentum the Lancers had generated as they cruised to a 25-18 set win.

The second set had closer results, but the play was less competitive as the Sting never threatened the Lancers. The Lancers continued to attack the Sting, who were never able to execute their offence due to the constant pressure. Strong defensive efforts by David Lyon (Thailand) and Jeffrey Malicdem (Scarborough, Ont.) failed to translate into points as the Lancers took a 17-11 lead. Following a Sting timeout, the gap in the score narrowed, but the Sting were never able to get within striking distance as the Lancers took a 2-0 set lead with a 25-20 win.

The third set resembled the first two as the Lancers continued to attack the Sting as the cruised to a 25-18 set victory and a sweep of the Sting.

Jordan Darlington (Ajax, Ont.) paced the Sting with 11 kigs. Lyon added eight kills and a team-high nine digs along with two blocks. Toms Gaikis (Toronto) scored the lone ace for the Sting.

The Sting will welcome the Fleming Knights on Wednesday at 8 p.m. while the Lancers return home to host the George Brown Huskies Friday at 8 p.m.

Source: Seneca College