SEASON RECAP:
The Mustangs Women’s team started the 2023 portion of the schedule with a strong 5-2 start. After the break they ran into some heavy competition and finished the season 9-11 which put them into the play-in game against Waterloo. Western would have a balanced attack against the Warriors with Lael Harrison and Devin Gerth each getting double-digit kills with Claire Stewart right there with them with 9 kills herself. Robin Henshaw and Hannah Joo, along with Gerth stepped up defensively as well with each recording 10 digs as the Mustangs would take a 3-1 win and advance to the next round. In the quarterfinals Western would meet the powerhouse Brock Badgers, the eventual OUA champions would assert their dominance and take this one 3-0, ending the Mustangs season.
Western would have four members of the team recognized in the Women’s Volleyball awards. Devin Gerth was a First Team All-Star, Claire Stewart & Ava Ebert were Second Team All-Stars & Lael Harrison was a member of the All-Rookie Team.
On the men’s team, a core of returning veterans led the way for much of the season. After dropping the opening game of the season, the Mustangs went on to take eight of their next meetings. Western would finish with a 13-7 record for the season and like the women’s team would take on the Brock Badgers. Each set was tightly contested in the quarterfinals with each side taking a set to open the match. Brock would power their way to a 3-1 victory and eliminate the Mustangs.
Blake Fenwick would be named a First Team All-Star for the season while Owen Kelly was a Second Team All-Star.
TEAM MVP’s:
Women – Claire Stewart
Men – Blake Fenwick
BRONZE W RECIPIENTS:
Nicolas Folz
Hannah Joo
Kylie Maxwell
Claire Stewart
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