The Western Mustangs took on the Brock Badgers today at 6:00pm. Despite putting some good points on the board, the Mustangs fell 3-0 to the Badgers.
Brock on the scoreboard early in the first set, pushing to a 5-0 lead and causing a timeout called by Western. Brock push ahead in the points but kills from Ava Ebert and Lael Harrison help to maintain the pressure on the Badgers. A service ace from Thea Ishida closes the point gap to four. With Brock coming within six points of the first set win, a ball is tipped over the net by Claire Stewart to put the score at 19-12 to Brock. The next point sees Claire Stewart get a block and another point on the board for Western. Brock comes within five points of the first set win after a kill finds the middle of the court. Brock continues to push towards the opening set win. Ava Ebert is able to send the ball into the middle of the court on Brock’s side after Western are given a free ball by the Badgers. Despite good effort from Western towards the end of the first set, Brock takes the opening set with a score of 25-17.
Brock takes the opening point but Western quickly equalize. Western maintain a short distance behind in the points in the early moments of the second set. A service ace for the Badgers puts the score at 10-5 and causing a timeout from Western, making that one-point lead into five. Brock wins the point coming out of the timeout, tapping the ball over the net and finding an empty spot in the court. Claire Stewart gets a kill and a block to put points on the board for Western. The Mustangs come back within three points of the Badgers after a kill from Emily Tsiandoulas finds the far right-hand corner of the court. Brock pushes the lead to six and a timeout is called. Coming out of the timeout, Western win the first point after a short serve from Brock. A block from Brock puts the Badgers within six points of the second set. Brock secures the second set with a final score of 25-14.
Brock win the first point of the third set but Western equalize after Brock sends a ball out of bounds. Brock push ahead by four points early in the third set, causing a timeout called by Western. Brock win the first point coming out of the timeout after a ball is sent out of bounds by the Mustangs. A few points later, a long rally sees Jade Longlad and Robin Henshaw make big digs to keep the ball alive. Ava Ebert and Thea Ishida get a double block to secure the point for Western. Emily Foest for Brock gets the ball past the Western block to put the score at 13-4. Another timeout is called. A whistle is heard while the teams are playing, causing a re-serve. A short serve from Brock would go on to give the point to Western. Brock get within five points of the third set win after a ball is sent wide by Western. Lael Harrison gets a solo block to bring the Mustangs within 8 points. Despite good effort from the Mustangs to maintain the pressure on the Badgers, Brock takes the final set with a score of 25-14.
The Mustangs are on the road next weekend, meeting with the Windsor Lancers at 6:00pm on Friday.