Box Score LONDON, Ont.- The Western Mustangs men’s volleyball stepped onto home court tonight in front of a full house to challenge the seventh place Ryerson Rams after a tough weekend on the road last week. But losing was all in the past, as the Mustangs surged past the Rams in four sets, claiming a 3-1 victory.
 
Set scores were 25-22, 17-25, 25-15, 25-18.
 
“Today’s game was a battle,” Mustangs head coach Jim Sage said. “We were kind of up and down a little, but then once we got going I thought we looked quite good. We served well, especially in the fourth set when it was critical. I was proud of my guys and it was a good team effort.”
 
Leading the Mustangs was Garrett May with a team high 17 points with 15 kills and 5 digs, followed closely by Alan Screaton with 16 points and 16 kills. Setter Sean McKay contributed 43 assists.
 
It was a tough start to the first set with the Mustangs giving up the first four points, allowing their opponents to gain a lead. Hits from middle Luke Sim kept Western in the match as they fought to climb back. Outside hitter Justin Scapinello forced a hit down Ryerson’s sideline, putting Western just behind the Rams on the scoreboard. The Mustangs were short three at the technical timeout, but that did not last for long as Scapinello delivered another ball over the net to tie the set 19-19, followed by a kill from May to push the ‘Stangs ahead. Western went on to trump Ryerson 25-22.
 
With Western leading by one set, the second set commenced with both teams exchanging points until Ryerson managed to hold a few points over Western’s head. The Rams continued to hold their slight edge over the Mustangs, forcing Western to call a timeout. Behind by five at the technical timeout, the Mustangs came back onto the court looking to redeem themselves. Despite some hard kills by Screaton, it was not enough to pull ahead of Ryerson and the home team fell 17-25.
 
Tied with one set each, the Mustangs took control of the court earning an early lead over their opponent in the third set. With Western gaining a substantial lead, Ryerson paused to call a timeout. Maintaining their large lead, the Mustangs sat eight points ahead of the Rams at the technical timeout, and continued to rack in the points after the break. With a 22-11 lead, Western took control of the remainder of the set and easily won it 25-15.
 
Up two sets, the Mustangs and Rams rallied back and fourth for every point in the fourth set. Ryerson edged Western, but the Mustangs had the strength to even the score. Kills from Phil James kept the white and purple on top, while Screaton caught the Ryerson defense off-guard with his hits. Eventually the Mustangs took the fourth set by a score of 25-18, allowing them to claim a 3-1 victory over the Ryerson Rams.
 
Leading the Rams was Robert Wojcik with a game high 22 points and 21 kills.
 
The Western Mustangs return to the court tomorrow to challenge the Toronto Varsity Blues at 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall.