LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs women’s volleyball team were taken to the limit by the Guelph Gryphons but responded well to the test winning 3-2 in five sets. After winning the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-18, the Gryphons rebounded to take the next two tightly contested sets 25-23 and 29-27. The Mustangs responded well getting an early lead in the final set and holding on to win 15-10.

With the win the Mustangs are 12-4 on the year and tied for second place in the OUA West with the Waterloo Warriors. Western has won five straight games and now must finish the regular season with their next three games coming on the road.

Western received solid contributions from all of their players, with five players having over 10 points as well as five players having over 12 digs. Elaine Screaton (Calgary) led the Mustangs with 17 points and added 25 digs and 2 aces. Sarah Johnston (Stratford, Ont.) and Caleigh Whitaker (Sharon, Ont.) each had 16 points and Sarah Lowry (Calgary) added 15 points. Jenna Thomson (St. Mary’s, Ont.) set up her teammates with 58 assists and also added 20 digs and 4 aces.

The Mustangs started slow in the first set, with Guelph taking the early lead. With some good net defence and with the aid of a number of mishit balls from the Gryphons, the Mustangs pulled out the set 25-21. Guelph took the early lead in the second set as well before the Mustangs battled back to tie the set at 10 apiece. Western took control late in the set, pulling away for 25-18 win.

Carrying the momentum from winning the first two sets, Western got out to a hot start in the third going ahead 5-1 before the Gryphons were forced to call a time out. Guelph refused to roll over, playing with an energy they lacked in the first two sets. After a furious rally kept Western alive down 23-22, they tied it at 23 before Guelph managed to take the set 25-23.

The fourth set was a back and forth affair with neither team holding any large lead. They were tied at 7-7 and then Guelph held a slight 14-12 advantage. The end of the set had a dramatic finish with both teams playing well, with long rallies for points. Western held a 24-22 lead but the Gryphons scratched back to take a 25-24 lead. Western then was able to tie it at 25 each and then again at 27 each, but some strong hitting from Guelph ended the gruelling set 29-27.

The Mustangs came out strong in the final set, not wanting to lose a match at home after being up 2 sets to none. They pushed ahead to a 9-4 advantage before the Gryphons called timeout to regroup. This was the lead they needed as the crowd at Alumni Hall rallied behind the Mustangs and they pulled out the final set 15-10.

Next up for the Mustangs is a tough road test against the Queen’s Gaels on Fri. Feb 5 at 6 p.m. Following the game Friday night, check westernmustangs.ca for the score and game recap.