The Western Mustangs men's volleyball team is on the road this weekend as they travel to North Bay to take on the Nipissing Lakers for their third game of the OUA regular season before heading to Toronto to face the York Lions in away game action.
After beating Waterloo in an exciting five-set match at Western's home-opener last weekend, the Mustangs then fell to McMaster 3-2 in another thrilling five-set match to sit 1-1 on the season and will be looking for their second win of the season in North Bay.
After just two games, three Western players have already made the OUA's top 15 list of highest scorers. Leading the Mustangs is Phil James, a 6'5" middle blocker, who sits in eighth place in the OUA with 3.65 points per set and an impressive 68% kill percentage. Second-year outside hitter Justin Scapinello is close behind James on the leaderboard with 3.35 points per set, and fourth-year outside hitter Garrett May rounds out Westerns offence with 2.9 points per set after two games.
The Mustangs will be looking for two wins this weekend to boost them in the standings and establish themselves as a team to beat.
Nipissing Lakers: Saturday, November 2 – 4:00 p.m.
The Lakers have yet to find a win after four games this year as they dropped contests against Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto and Ryerson earlier in the season. After previously competing in the OCAA, the 2013-2014 season marks Nipissing's first year in the OUA.
Fifth-year Frankie Edgecombe, a 6'5" left side hitter, leads the Lakers so far this season with 3.31 points per game and 31 kills. Warren Taylor has recorded 2.35 points per set as the second-highest scorer on the squad.
The Lakers host the Mustangs on Saturday, November 2, at 4:00 p.m. in North Bay.
York Lions: Sunday, November 3 – 4:00 p.m.
After four games this season, the York Lions have already established themselves as a volleyball powerhouse, sitting atop the OUA with three wins and their only loss coming from the Waterloo Warriors with whom they share the top spot in the standings.
Fourth-year left side hitter Ray Szeto once again leads the Lions after being named an OUA First-Team All-Star and a CIS All-Canadian last season. This year he has averaged 4.41 points per set while recording 61 kills in four games and is currently ranked third in the OUA. Joining Szeto as an offensive leader is fourth-year middle blocker Gregory Ivan with 3.17 points per game and a 63% kill percentage.
Sunday's matchup promises to be an exhilarating one as two of the top teams in Ontario battle for victory.
The Lions host the Mustangs on Sunday, November 3, at 4:00 p.m. in Toronto.
