Box Score

LONDON, Ont - The Western Mustangs men’s volleyball team showed they could overcome adversity today after losing their libero to injury and still coming out on top. Western topped York this afternoon at Alumni Hall in three straight sets, putting the Lions back in their cage and bringing the Mustangs’ OUA season record to 6-1.
 
Set scores were 30-28, 25-13, 25-11.
 
“The first set was a little bit stressful with the injury and stuff (libero Andre Begin was out for the match)," said head coach Jim Sage. “Craig Dixon came in and did a great job, small in stature but big in heart. I was really pleased with his performance. It happened so fast and he’s got to be ready to play; he came on and did well. That first set could have gone either way, and we’ve done a lot of these sets that go into extra ‘innings’ to come out on top. We have to be careful that doesn’t happen tomorrow (against McMaster) because it is a much bigger match.”
 
Leading the Mustangs was OUA All-Star Garrett May with 11 kills on 25 attempts with a game high of 15.5 points, followed closely by teammate Justin Scapinello with ten kills on 21 attempts and 12 points in only three sets.
 
As soon as the Mustangs stepped on the court they showed the Lions that they were no longer in their home den, scoring the first four points, putting York on edge and into an early game time out. More than doubling York’s score, Western brought on the power when the Lions crawled up trailing by only one point, eventually to tie the set. White and purple made a comeback with Scapinello blocking red and white attempts, and Derek Kuiack bringing some big kills. The set turned point for point, with the Mustangs reaching set point numerous times, before Luke Sim took charge earning Western the win 30-28.
 
With the first set under their belt, the Mustangs entered the second set with confidence while Sim took no prisoners blocking anything in his way edging the Lions with persistence. Leading by seven at technical time out, Western reassured York that they knew whose court they were on. The Lions were struggling to keep up while the Mustangs surged past the York squad 25-13 leaving only a trail of purple dust behind them.
 
Up 2-0, the Mustangs lost the first two points to the Lions, but only before Kuiack caught York with his tips to bring Western to lead the set by four points. Keeping their edge, the Mustangs more than doubled the Lions count. White and purple led 16-8 at technical time out, and kept a steady eight point lead over red and white. Quickly reaching set point the Mustangs overpowered the Lions by a strong 25-11.
 
Leading the York Lions was Karim Khalil with 12 kills on 28 attempts, earning 15.5 points in three sets, tying with Mustang May for game high points.
 
Western captain Sean McKay said, “It was good compared to last weekend where we started a little slow, it’s good to come out for the first game of the weekend and play hard, but tomorrow is what we’re focusing on.”
 
The Mustangs face undefeated and first OUA seed McMaster Marauders tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall for what is sure to be a competitive match.