Weekend Preview: Men's Volleyball headed east to RMC and Queen's

The Western Mustangs men’s volleyball team took a break last weekend after a successful home opening weekend. The 2012-2013 OUA looks bright so far for the Mustangs with a season record of 3-1, losing only three of a total 14 sets played. The fourth-ranked Stangs stepped onto home court for the home opener with a perfect season record to challenge the Waterloo Warriors, who the team last handed a 3-0 defeat in the 2011-2012 OUA semi finals. Waterloo rivals were searching for vengeance this season as they took Western in five close sets (21-25, 24-26, 25-13, 26-24, 14-16), giving the Mustangs their first loss of the season. Despite the loss, rookie Justin Scapinello led the Mustangs with 17.5 points in five sets, while setter Sean McKay had 54 assists and eight digs for the game.

Disappointed with the first game of the home opening weekend, the Mustangs fueled up to finish of the weekend with a big win over the Guelph Gryphons 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 26-24). Leading the Mustangs to the sweep over the Gryphons was Garret May with 24 kills on 45 attempts along with transfer Derek Kuiack earning nine digs. Showing its power and precision, the Mustangs earned 13.0 blocks to more than double Guelph’s block count of 6.0.

The Western Mustangs step back onto the volleyball court this weekend challenging the Royal Military College Paladins followed by a game against the Queen’s Gaels.

Royal Military College- Saturday, November 17 1:00 p.m.

Coached by Steve Leknois, the Royal Military College Paladins hold a 0-6 2012-2013 season record. Despite a slow start to their season, the Paladins are working five days a week on and off the court to improve their game. Starting its season with a game against York, RMC fell in three straight sets (12-25, 20-25, 19-25), and was swallowed by the Lions. Facing McMaster next, RMC couldn’t gain control of the court and fell quickly in three sets (7-25, 13-25, 6-25). The Paladins showed their best season performance this season to date against the Ryerson Rams where RMC earned their first and only set win of the season, losing 1-3 (14-25, 19-25, 25-23, 14-25). Hoping for another set win, the RMC Paladins battled the Waterloo Warriors for a win, but were defeated 0-3 (14-25, 13-25, 10-25) and repeated the same score against the Guelph Gryphons.

The RMC Paladins currently hold last place in the OUA with no points, just behind Windsor who only hold two, with one game for and 18 games against.

Queen’s University- Sunday, November 18 2:00 p.m.

Currently ranked third in the OUA early season with eight points, 13 games for and ten games against, the Queen’s Gaels hold a 2012-2013 OUA season record of 4-2 under tutelage of head coach Brenda Willis. The Gaels commenced its season under the lead of Philippe Goyer, seventh in the OUA with an average of 3.72 points per game, and 74 kills on 185 attempts. Goyer started with a strong showing against the McMaster Marauders, but the team fell in straight sets 25-19,27-25, 25-22. Goyer was named player of the game for Queen’s earning a team high of 12 points, followed closely by sixth ranked in the OUA, Mike Tomlinson, with ten points. Despite starting the OUA regular season with a loss, Queen’s picked up the pace last weekend defeating Guelph in three straight sets (25-16, 25-19, 25-15). Not as lucky in their most recent match, Queen’s fell 1-3 against undefeated Waterloo, outside hitter Tomlinson contributed 12 kills, making his season record with an impressive 3.84 points per game with 68 kills on 163 attempts.

The last time Queen’s met Western was during the pre-season where they challenged each other in the Ryerson National Bank Invitation Tournament, the Mustangs and Gaels faced each other in two rotations. The ARC Main Gym was not in the home team Gaels’ favour as they were defeated consecutively 1-3 and then 0-3 by the Mustangs. The Gaels meet the Mustangs again this weekend at Queen’s, looking for home court vengeance.

On the road, Western takes on RMC in Kingston on Saturday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m., then challenge opponent Queen’s on Sunday, November 18 on Queen’s court, with first service at 2:00 p.m.

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