Women’s Volleyball finishes regular season with a pair of wins over Lakehead

Thunder Bay, ON – The Mustangs Women’s Volleyball team rounded out the 24-25 regular season with a pair of wins over Lakehead to cement their spot at 3rd in the upcoming OUA playoffs.

Western started the weekend Friday night with a 3-1 win over the Thunderwolves and then swept Lakehead in the Saturday evening matchup.

GAME RECAP – Friday, February 14

Western began the game with a good start taking the lead at 8-2. The Thunderwolves then called a timeout at 9-2. As the set continued, the Mustangs kept a steady gap with a score of 13-6. With Western at 21-14, the Thunderwolves called another timeout. The Mustangs then ended the first set at 25-16. 

The second set was bumpier for the Mustangs with the Thunderwolves ahead at 6-3. Western began to tighten the difference in scores at 11-13. The Mustangs then caught up to the Thunderwolves, tying the score at 16-16. With the tight score of 20-19, Western called a timeout. The Mustangs asked for another timeout with the Thunderwolves ahead 22-19. Lakehead then called a timeout as the Mustangs brought in a few points at 21-22. Western then lost the set 25-21. 

In the third set the Mustangs had a solid start staying ahead at 8-4. The Thunderwolves tightened the scores at 9-8, making Western call a timeout. Western kept the leverage at 17-11, resulting in Lakehead calling a timeout. The Thunderwolves managed to bring in a few points at 18-14. At 23-17 Lakehead called another timeout. The Mustangs ended off the set strong with the score of 15-19, making it a 2-1 game. 

The fourth set was a much stronger beginning for the Mustangs with the leverage of 6-1. With Western in ahead 10-3, the Thunderwolves called a timeout. Lakehead then racked in 4 points leaving the score at 10-7. Western maintained a good gap from the Thunderwolves at 15-8. At 17-9 Lakehead asked for another timeout. The Mustangs powerfully ended the game with the score of 25-12, winning 3-1. 

KEY STATS

Emma Buntic – 13 kills, 2 service aces, 3 digs 

Ava Ebert – 8 kills, 8 digs, 4 block solos 

GAME RECAP – Saturday, February 15

The game began well for the Mustangs with them up 4 points at 8-4. With Western in the lead 13-7, the Thunderwolves called their first timeout. The set continued with the Mustangs up by a couple points at 18-13. Lakehead then called another timeout at 19-13. The Mustangs finished the first set with a score of 25-17. 

The second set had a closer start between the teams with Western ahead 8-7. The Mustangs stayed in the lead at 12-7, resulting in the Thunderwolves calling a timeout. Western maintained a good distance from Lakehead with some kills at 17-11. The Thunderwolves called their second timeout at 19-11 in efforts to tighten the score gap. The Mustangs had a strong 11-point lead towards the end of the set with a score of 22-11. Western ended the set at 25-12, making it a 2-0 game. 

The third set began with the Thunderwolves in the lead at 7-3, resulting in the Mustangs calling their first timeout of the game. As the set progressed, Lakehead maintained their lead with the score of 14-6, benefitting from Westerns errors. Western managed to break the big gap a little causing the Thunderwolves to call a timeout at 14-10. The Mustangs caught up to Lakehead with their many rallies, tying the score at 15-15. Lakehead then called a timeout with Western ahead 22-19. The Mustangs then took a timeout as the Thunderwolves aced them twice at 24-22. The Mustangs ended up taking the win at 28-26, ending their last game of the season with a 3-0 win. 

KEY STATS

Emma Buntic – 14 kills, 1 service ace, 3 digs 

Rachel Gray – 5 kills, 3 service aces, 2 digs 

NEXT GAME
The Mustangs finish in 3rd in league standings and will play their first round matchup on Friday, February 21. Stay tuned for full details at WesternMustangs.ca. Fans will be able to get ther tickets at WesternMustangs.ca/tickets and fans can watch the action live on OUA.tv.