Box Score LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs women's volleyball team battled back from a two set deficit, winning the final three sets to defeat the Brock Badgers 3-2 for the Mustangs first win of the season on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Hall.
 
"I have one word to describe that win. It was "belief", because the team went out there and believed in what we've been doing all season. And more importantly, they believed in themselves when it was crunch time," said Western head coach Melissa Bartlett.
 
A hard-fought first set saw both teams battle for possession of the ball amid big hits and long rallies. Brock led by one at the technical timeout, but Western came back and took a 20-17 lead before the Badgers rallied for four unanswered points, ultimately taking the set 25-22.
 
The Mustangs took a commanding lead in the second frame, leading 14-7. The lead was one that could not be maintained however, and late in the set, the Badgers cut the lead. The teams went head to head, tying the set at 20, 23 and 24, with Brock earning the final two points needed to win the set 26-24.
 
The third frame was almost identical to the second right up to the technical break. This time after the break, the Mustangs refused to relinquish the lead and won their first set of the game 25-22.
 
Taking the fourth set 25-22, after being down 7-14, was the motivation the Western squad needed to push forward and take the match.
 
A memorable fifth and final set had the Mustangs in the lead the entire time, winning 15-11. The Badgers made a valiant attempt to catch up, however the Mustangss offence could not be stopped.
 
The win marks the Mustangs' first for the 2013-14 OUA regular season and snaps their six-game losing streak.
 
"It was a team win," added Bartlett. "Everybody contributed."
 
Veteran Stephanie Kreuter had a game-high 26 kills, followed by Candice Scott with 16 kills, one serve ace and two solo blocks. Setter Suzanna Campbell had an impressive game with 56 assists.
 
Brianne Hamilton led all Badgers with 12 kills, two serve aces and one solo block.
 
Next up, the Western Mustangs hit the road for their final games before the Christmas break when they head to Thunder Bay for a doubleheader against the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30.