Box Score The Western Mustangs women's volleyball team got their home schedule off to a great start on Friday night, defeating the Waterloo Warriors 3-0 (19-25, 18-25, 19-25) at Alumni Hall. With the win, the Mustangs stand at 2-2, with the Warriors at 1-3 in the third week of OUA regular season action.
After a serving error from the Warriors early in the first set, the Mustangs took control of the set with an early three-point lead. Capitalizing on unforced errors by Waterloo, the Mustangs used their momentum to extend their lead to 18-12.
Battling their way back from the six-point deficit, Waterloo focused on consistency and accuracy to force the Mustangs into a time out at 20-18. Coming back out on the court refocused, the Mustangs quickly regained control, taking five of the next six points to close out the set with a 25-19 win to take a 1-0 lead.
Leading the scoreboard for the first time in the match, Waterloo took early control of the second set. Despite frequently catching up to the Waterloo score, the Mustangs struggled to surpass them for much of the second set.
Exceeding the Warriors score for the first time in the set at 15-14, the Mustangs began to pull away to create the first substantial point deficit of the set. Riding the momentum, Western used strong attacks and blocks to end the second set 25-18 and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
With an obvious determination to end the match in three sets, the Mustangs used a fierce offence and rigorous defensive play to create an early six-point lead. Unwilling to allow the set to end without a fight, the Warriors fought to close the point gap at 11-9, and again at 19-18.
Unfortunately for the visiting side, that would be as close as the Warriors would get as Western closed out the set with four consecutive points, ending on a strategically placed tip to take the final set 25-19 and the match 3-0.
Leading the black and gold was captain
Natasha Spaling (Drayton) who had 8 kills, 2 service aces, 1 dig and 1 assisted block in the loss.
Sammie Gwozdz (Waterloo) contributed well with 5 kills and 2 digs while setter
Emily Needles (Thorndale) had 17 assists, 1 service ace and 3 digs in the losing battle.
With five kills, two aces, and six blocks, the Mustang's Kelsey Veltman led all players with 12 points while Aja Gyimah recorded 10.5 points.
The Waterloo Warriors will be taking on rival Windsor Lancers on the road on Saturday evening at 6pm.
