LONDON, Ont. - After losing to the eventual OUA champion Queen's Gaels in the semifinals last year, the Western Mustangs women's volleyball team had to settle for winning OUA bronze in 2009. 

The Mustangs have had the whole off-season to put that behind them and focus on the task at hand, an OUA gold and a trip to CIS Nationals.

Western finished second in the OUA west last season with a very solid 14-5 record. They put together a nice run heading into the playoffs winning eight of their last nine games. 

A number of Mustangs were honoured for their individual efforts for the 2009 season. Claire Morrow was the OUA West's Libero of the year, while Jenna Thomson made the OUA first-team all-star list. Sarah Lowry and Caleigh Whitaker were also honoured as second-team all-stars. 

Both Lowry and Whitaker will be missed this season as Lowry has graduated and Whitaker has turned her focus on her academics and a budding beach volleyball career. The Mustangs have a number of young, talented players who are looking to step up this year. One whose play has stood out over the pre-season is Rebecca Oxland.

Former associate coach Dave Edwards will take the reins as the head coach this year and is optimistic about the team's future.

"We have some strong talent returning, and some new talent that shows great promise," Edwards said. "I think there is reason to expect a strong performance."

The Mustangs have played in two pre-season tournaments so far, placing fifth in Montreal and going 2-1 at  Brock. Western finished the preseason with a 7-5 record after sweeping Laurier 3-0 last week in their final pre-season tune-up.

Western will get to start the season at home as they have two games this weekend in London. The Mustangs will take on Guelph on Friday Oct. 22 and then McMaster on Saturday Oct. 23. Both games will be at 6 p.m. at Alumni Hall.