LONDON, Ont. - Western's men's volleyball team moved into first place overall in the OUA with a straight-set, 3-0 win (25-22, 27-25, 25-20) over the Waterloo Warriors at Alumni Hall on Nov. 27.

Eric Simon (London, Ont.) led the Western squad with 15 kills, two assisted blocks and nine digs, while freshman Phil James (Ottawa) had five kills, all timely, along with a solo block and assisted block.

Western won the opening set convincingly, 25-22, paced by solid play at the net.

In the second, Simon scored the with winning kill after a great rally to end the set with Western winning 27-25

In the third, Western earned the sideout at 16-15 and spread the lead to two at 22-20. 

A block from rookie sensation James made it 23-20 with Mathew Waite (St. Thomas, Ont.) moving to serve. James then hit a well-timed kill at the middle of the net on an angle to stretch the lead to 24-20.

Then, in an attempt to score after Waite's serve, Waterloo season-kills leader Corey Yednoroz (Windsor, Ont.) hit the ball into the net, resulting in the match-winning point for Western. The Mustangs won the set 25-20.

Ranked No. 10 in Canada, Western (8-1) moves into a tie for first place in the OUA with Queen's (8-2) and travels to play at Guelph (5-3) on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. at W.P. Mitchell Athletic Centre. Waterloo falls to 5-4 and remains in fourth place in the OUA.