Box Score LONDON, Ont.- The Western Mustangs women’s volleyball team returned home tonight to play their final home game of the OUA regular season against the Ryerson Rams in Alumni Hall. Prior to the game there was a heartwarming ceremony to honour graduating veterans Stephanie Kantzos, Rebecca Oxland, Danielle Marshall, Stephanie Kreuter, and Erin Miller. However, the Mustangs were unable to honour the seniors with a win, dropping the game against the Rams 3-1. This brings the Mustangs record to 8-8 for the OUA regular season.
 
Set scores were 21-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23
 
Leading the Mustangs was Oxland with 11 kills, nine digs, and a team high 15 points, followed closely by teammate Marshall with 14 points in four sets.
 
Stepping on to their home court for the final time this season, the Mustangs made a solid impact, earning the first few points of the set and gained an early edge on the Rams. But Ryerson gained speed to trail by only a point before challenging for the lead. Tied 16-16, the set quickly turned into a point for point affair. The Rams were the first to reach set point and were able to take the set 25-21.
 
Determined to steal back the set they lost, the hosts took the first three points of the second set. Keeping that attitude, the Mustangs pushed past the Rams to double their score, and eventually earn a seven-point lead. Ryerson attempted to keep it close, but the Mustangs continued to pull ahead, forcing the Rams into a timeout. Well-placed tips and hits from Serena Smith put Western in charge at the technical timeout. Marshall extended the Mustangs’ lead to 11-points with her powerful blocks. Although the Mustangs had some trouble closing out the set, they still managed to take it by a score of 25-19.
 
Tied one set apiece, the third set saw both teams vying for a lead. Solid blocking from Oxland pushed the Mustangs past the Rams by six points. Leading 16-10 at the technical timeout, Western lost some momentum as Ryerson managed to even the score, and then take a slight edge by two points. Eventually the visitors took the set 25-22.
 
With the score at 2-1, the Mustangs were starting to feel the pressure from the Rams as they took the early lead in the fourth set. Both teams exchanged points with neither team gaining a substantial lead. However, before long the Rams managed to push past the Mustangs to gain an edge. Ryerson led at the technical timeout, but Western caught the Rams and stopped them in their tracks—momentarily. Going point for point, the two teams pushed and shoved to get to set point. At 23-23, the Rams managed to move up to match point and then take the set in a close 25-23, winning the game 3-1.
 
Leading the Rams was Emily Nicholishen with 18 kills, 12 digs, and a game high 21 points.
 
The Western Mustangs women’s volleyball team returns to the court next weekend when they will challenge the Guelph Gryphons on Friday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m., followed by a contest against the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday, February 9 at 6:00 p.m. to finish off the OUA regular season.