Six points separates the Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball team from first place, but only two points separate them from the York Lions.

And those two points are the difference between qualifying for the playoffs and being on the outside looking in.

Sunday's showdown between the Lakers and Lions was a key matchup for both teams and it was the Lakers who came away with the victory.

Nipissing swept York 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-23).

In the opening set, it was all Lakers.

Nipissing started strong and had an early 9-5 lead and proceeded to outscore York 9-2 from there to go up 18-7 just past the midway point of the set.

They ended up cruising to a 25-11 win in the opening game to go up 1-0.

In the second set, the Lakers started off where they left off and jumped out to a 6-4 lead on York early in the set.

After leading by just two, the Lakers erupted for 10 of the next 12 points and led the Lions 16-6 at the midway point of the second set.

York fought back late in the set, but Nipissing hung on for the 25-16 win to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set was the closest from start to finish.

It was Nipissing with an early edge, up 9-6 and they extended that lead to 16-13 at the technical timeout.

From there, things were very even and the teams were tied 21-21 late in the set.

The Lakers went up 23-22, but York continue to fight and tied things up, hanging tough in the set, despite being down 2-0 in the match.

The Lakers proved to be too much for York, claiming the third set 25-23.

With the victory, Nipissing earns the weekend split and improves their record to 6-5.

Next up, the Lakers will host the Waterloo Warriors next Sunday in a game that was re-schedule.

Start time is set for 2pm.