Box Score With a lot still to play for in the final two matches of the season, the Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team was looking to make a statement.
The Lakers hosted the Western Mustangs in their first of a pair of matches on the weekend, as both teams wrap up the regular season.
It was the result the Lakers needed, as they topped Western 3-1 as Nipissing continues to battle for playoff positioning.
Nipissing wasted little time jumping out to a lead.
Up 7-5, the Lakers and Mustangs both doubled their score, as Nipissing built a 14-10 lead midway through the set.
A dominant finish saw the Lakers outscore Western 11-4 down the stretch to come away with the 25-14 win in the opening set.
Both teams put on a show in the second set, trading points.
Eventually, late in the set, the Mustangs pulled ahead, turning a 20-19 deficit into a 23-21 win as they picked up a 25-22 win to even up the match.
With the match even, the third set provided some more dramatics.
Western led for most of the game, up 6-2 early and just past the midway point of the set, were up 19-18.
Nipissing went on a strong 7-3 to complete the comeback, winning 25-21 and going ahead 2-1 in the match.
In the fourth, with the Lakers trying to close things out and the Mustangs trying to stay alive, the teams traded points.
The score was tied 6-6 early on and 11-11 just shy of the midway point of the set.
Nipissing once again went on a late run, outscoring Western 8-2 to build up a comfortable lead as the teams headed towards the late stages of the set.
The Lakers made no mistake, going up 23-16 and clinching the win 25-18 to pick a very important victory.
The teams are back on the court Sunday afternoon to close out the year.