London, ON – The Mustangs hosted the undefeated McMaster Marauders at Alumni Hall on Friday night, falling in four sets in their last home game of the regular season.
Prior to the match, graduating players Josh Thorson, Jason Guy, Blake Fenwick, Owen Kelly, Josiah Esau, Jack Cochran and captain Amit Sayal were recognized for their contributions to the team throughout their time at Western, as Senior Night made its way to Alumni Hall.
“Not even considering volleyball, it’s such an honour to be part of a great organization and team,” said Amit Sayal. “Today was a huge volleyball game but it meant so much more than just the game itself. Having the recognition and to go up there with your brothers makes it a truly special day.”
“It’s always an emotional night to see them and their parents and the look on their parent’s faces,” added head coach Jim Sage. “That’s what it’s all about. The kids are excited, but it’s huge for the parents. It’s fun.”
McMaster took the opening set 25-19, while Western took the second 25-23. The Mustangs then dropped the next two sets 25-23 and 25-19. Blake Fenwick led the ‘Stangs with 11 kills and 2 aces, while Jason Guy and Jonah Millard followed with 9 and 8 kills respectively.
“[Blake Fenwick’s] heart was in the game,” said Sage.
With their senior’s taking to the court, the Mustangs took the opening two points of the match, eliciting loud cheers from the crowd filled with friends, family, and fans alike.
While Jason Guy put the Mustangs up 4-2, the Marauders and ‘Stangs would exchange points keeping things close early on.
After Jonah Millard tied things up at 13, the visitors went on to take six of the next eight points to claim a four-point cushion over Western.
The purple and white were unable to climb back as they ultimately dropped the opener 25-19.
M??l END OF 1ST SET
The Mustangs drop the first set 25-19 to McMaster. Jason Guy, Amit Sayal, Blake Fenwick and Kendall Homenick each had 2 kills in the set for Western.
After dropping the first point, the Mustangs found themselves doubled up on their opponent at 6-3 to start the second. Two consecutive aces from Blake Fenwick had Western up 10-5, which Millard then added to with a kill.
After a kill from Kendall Homenick put the purple and white up by four at 12-8, the Marauders took the next four consecutive points to tie things up.
A kill from Josh Thorson and an energizing block from Homenick and Guy put the ‘Stangs up 21-19, while Guy put the set within reach at 23-22. Two McMaster errors handed the set to Western at 25-23.
M??l END OF 2ND SET
The Mustangs take the second set 25-23 over McMaster! Jonah Millard and Jason Guy lead Western with 5 kills each.
A long rally filled with valiant Mustang efforts that were finished off by Fenwick saw the ‘Stangs double up on McMaster early on at 4-2 in the third.
With the set sitting tied at 5, kills from Millard, Fenwick, Thorson and some help from the visitors had Western up 12-7 as McMaster then called timeout.
While kills from Fenwick added to Western’s lead, the Marauders came firing back eventually tying the set up at 16 before taking the lead moments later. The two sides then continued to go point for point, keeping things close.
Tied at 21, it would be McMaster who found a slight lead at 23-21. Two points courtesy of Fenwick found the Mustangs and Marauders tied yet again, but McMaster ultimately took the set 25-23.
M??l END OF 3RD SET
McMaster takes this one 25-23 over the Mustangs. Blake Fenwick leads Western with 8 kills and 2 aces.
While points from Thorson and Josiah Esau helped to lift Western to an early 5-3 lead, the ‘Stangs found themselves down 13-10 to start a do-or-die fourth set.
The visitors took the following five of the next eight points to put a win within reach. A big dig from libero Owen Kelly that Fenwick finished off re-energized the gym, however the Mustangs would eventually fall 25-19 to McMaster, closing out this game.
“I thought [McMaster] were missing a few key players and we came out knowing that but we didn’t execute when we needed to be clutch to win the game,” said Sayal on the loss. “It was a very winnable game, I thought we had our opportunities in all four sets we played, and we just didn’t close out when we needed to.”
“I thought [McMaster] had an off night, and their best player is out which makes a difference,” echoed Sage. “They were right for the taking if we had just executed at key moments, and we didn’t. They weren’t good errors, they were weak and poor errors. And that’s disappointing.”
With the loss Western drops to 9-9 on the season while McMaster improves to 17-0. The purple and white will look to next week as they need a successful weekend against Nipissing to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“We have to regroup. It’s over. Let’s forget about [tonight] and let’s beat Nipissing,” said Sage. “We are hopefully using this [game] as a building block to play really well next weekend. We said no matter win or lose, let’s make sure we are playing well so we use this match to move forward.”
“Nipissing is a completely different team [from McMaster] and we have to forget what happened this weekend and need to win next weekend to secure a playoff spot,” said Sayal. “The boys are confident. We know what we are as a team and if we are firing on all cylinders, we are going to be a tough opponent against anyone in the OUA.”
The Mustangs will conclude the regular season next weekend on the road to Nipissing. The first of a two-game series will take place on February 18th at 2pm. The game will be available to watch on OUA.tv