THUNDER BAY, Ont. - The Western Mustangs improved to 8-4 to move into tie for third place in the OUA West with a straight sets victory over the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Jan. 15 by set scores of 25-21, 25-21 and 25-14.

Due to a string of injuries and some illness, head coach Dean Lowrie said the Mustangs relied on three first-year players, led by the strong play of Rebecca Oxland (Vancouver, B.C.). She was named player of the game with 29 assists and 13 digs.

Elaine Screaton (Calgary) led both teams with a game-high 15 points, including four aces, while Jacqueline Robinson (Vancouver) added 12 points and 11 digs. Rookie Stephanie Kreuter (Rostock, Ont.) had two aces as part of her four-point performance.

Western is tied with the Brock Badgers (8-5) for third place in the OUA West, but the Badgers have a game in hand.

The Mustangs return to host a pair of games Jan. 23 against Ryerson and Jan. 24 against York, both at 1 p.m. at Alumni Hall. Western’s homestand continues the following week when they host Windsor and Guelph, both at Alumni Hall, at 6 p.m. both nights.