The Western Mustangs met with the Lakehead Thunderwolves this evening in Alumni Hall. The team went on to dominate and win the game in three straight sets.
A service error from Lakehead puts the Mustangs on the board first. An attacking error puts them up 2-0 but a short serve from the Mustangs puts Lakehead on the board. The Mustangs maintain a point early into this first set. A service ace from Emily Tsiandoulas puts the Mustangs six points ahead of Lakehead. When the Mustangs push 8 points ahead, Lakehead call for a timeout. Devin Gerth gets the Mustangs the first point after the timeout with a kill that finds the centre of the court. After Jade Longlad gets a service ace after Lakehead miscalculates, the Thunderwolves call for a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the Mustangs sit within five points of the set win. Jade Longlad goes on to get two more contested service aces, bringing the team within three points of the first set win. The Mustangs tip the ball over the net, coming within one point of the set win. The Western Mustangs take the opening set 25-12.
Western get on the board early in the second set. A huge kill from Devin Gerth puts the Mustangs two ahead. A block from 8 and 13 adds another point to the board for the team. A long serve from the Mustangs puts the Thunderwolves on the board. A kill from Emily Tsiandoulas puts the Mustangs three ahead. A further kill from Ava Ebert puts them four ahead. Despite the Thunderwolves working to put points on the board, the Mustangs maintain the point lead coming towards the middle of the second set. Devin Gerth gets two consecutive points, putting the Mustangs five ahead. The Thunderwolves call for a timeout as the Mustangs push six points ahead. They win the first point coming out of the timout as they tip the ball over the net which finds an empty space in the centre of the court. The Thunderwolves gain some momentum coming out of the timeout, closing the point gap to three. After a long rally with both teams making digs to keep the ball alive, an attacking error from Lakehead puts the Mustangs four ahead. Hannah Joo sets the ball for Devin Gerth to send the ball into the far right corner of the court, putting them within five of the set win. The Mustangs continue to dominate late into the second set. Hannah Joo serves with one point to the set win. A cross-court kill from Devin Gerth wins the second set 25-18.
Western take the first point in the third set. Lael Harrison enters the game and gets a service ace on two consecutive serves. The teams equalize at 3-3 but the Mustangs push ahead again. Ava Ebert gets a kill early in this this third set. A further kill from Devin Gerth puts the Mustangs three ahead. A timeout is called when the score reaches 10-8 to the Mustangs. Coming out of the timeout, the Thunderwolves take the opening point with a kill that finds the far-right corner of the court. Despite the Thunderwolves only a short distance behind in the points, the Mustangs keep the lead. The teams equalize at 16-16 after an attacking error from the Mustangs. The teams equalize again at 18-18. A block from Lakehead puts them ahead and a timeout is called. Coming out of the timeout, Western are able to make it through the block to go ahead in the points. As the teams equalize at 19-19 again, a timeout is called. Unable to get the ball past the Western block, the Mustangs push ahead in the points coming out of the timeout. A kill from Lael Harrison brings the Mustangs within two of the set win. A block from Lakehead that goes out of bounds puts the Mustangs within one point of the set win. A timeout is called by Lakehead. A block from Ava Ebert and Hannah Joo gives the Mustangs the game win with a final score of 25-22.
After the game we spoke to Lael Harrison who explained that “I think today we knew was really important to get a spot in the playoffs. So, I think we’re all really dialled, really focused and we did everything to take away the win today”. Looking ahead to the games against Queens next week, Harrison added that “we’re really excited. We have a strong week of practice and a lot of focus and we’re hoping to take off them as well”. There were lots of young fans in the crowd this evening. Harrison told us that it “literally melts my heart because I was in that position not that long ago. So, I know exactly how it is to see someone playing and be inspired and want to do it as well”.
The Mustangs will meet with the Queens Gaels next Friday in Alumni Hall. Catch the action on OUA.tv.