Mustangs fall 3-0 to underdog Thunderwolves

Box Score

LONDON, Ont.- The Western Mustangs women’s volleyball team fought a hard battle against the Lakehead Thunderwolves this afternoon falling in three straight sets to the northern rival. Despite holding last place in the OUA, Lakehead put up a tough fight for the Mustangs, trumping them 3-0 making Western’s 2012-2013 OUA regular season record 4-4.

Set scores were 24-26, 21-25, 22-25.

“I was very disappointed, it was very disappointing,” said head coach Dave Edwards. “Congratulations to Lakehead; they came out, they dug a lot of balls, they hit a lot of balls. We didn’t execute."

"We had a quiet little talk after the match, we are a better team than what we showed, we’ll have Becca (Rebecca Oxland) back in the line up tomorrow which will make a big difference offensively, but tomorrow we will be prepared to play.”

Leading the Mustangs was right side Stephanie Kreuter with 11 kills on 28 attempts earning a game high of 13 points.

The Mustangs started the afternoon earning the first two points of the match setting a strong standard for the game. Lakehead wasn’t far behind and decided that the match would begin as a point for point affair before the Thunderwolves edged the Mustangs by two points. Candice Scott propelled a stop to Lakehead’s slight lead, turning the set point for point once again. Leading 16-14 at technical time out, Lakehead won the race to game point, but the Mustangs challenged a long rally delaying any blue, white, and yellow victory. The game took a quick turn when first year player Katie McLay ran cross-court to save a precious point, but it wasn’t enough to stop Lakehead’s 26-24 win.

Down a set, the Mustangs made sure to lead right off the get go, doubling the Thunderwolves’ score. Lakehead prepared some tips that caught Western off-guard, but they weren’t enough to trump the ‘Stangs edge on the match. Lakehead found their ground catching up enough to tie the set and eventually take the lead, scaring Western into a time out. Starting a pattern, the technical time out was in favour of blue, but their lead didn’t last for long with middle Scott blocking to help tie the game. Western couldn’t gain control falling again 21-25.

White and purple took the first two points only to be challenged in another point for point debut in the third. Western gained a lead with McLay making every effort to save a point. Tying the game 9-9, the Mustangs were determined to turn the fates of the afternoon around. Middle Danielle Marshall proved some big blocks, making nothing easy for the Thunderwolves. Despite a Lakehead lead at technical time out, the Thunderwolves and the Mustangs were engaged in a competitive feat where neither team could gain a real lead. For the third and final time, the Thunderwolves won the race to game point, finishing in first 25-22.

Leading the Lakehead Thunderwolves was Vanessa Chorkawy with 12 kills on 41 attempts and six digs, tying with Mustang Kreuter for game high points.

The Western Mustangs women’s volleyball team challenges the Lakehead Thunderwolves again tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall where the Mustangs will be searching for revenge against today’s victors.

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