Box Score OTTAWA, Ont. — The Mustangs women’s volleyball team were looking to earn their spot in this year’s OUA Final Four this afternoon on the road. However, the test would be tall for the Mustangs who were up against the seventh best team in the country, the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the OUA quarterfinal.
Although the Mustangs battled hard throughout the match, unwilling to go down without a valiant fight, the potent offence of the Ottawa Gee-Gees was too much for the Mustangs to handle, and Ottawa came out on top by a score of 3-1.
The set scores were 13-25, 25-22, 12-25, 18-25.
Leading the way for the Mustangs was
Stephanie Kreuter who earned nine kills and 10 points for her team. Both
Rebecca Oxland and
Danielle Marshall added eight kills and nine points during their last game in a Western uniform.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees made quick work of the Mustangs in the first set, proving why they finished the season with only two losses. With aggressive serving and strong hitting from all angles, the Gee-Gees topped the Mustangs 25-13 in the first set.
Not to be outdone though, the Mustangs came out strong in the second set ready to challenge for the win. The Mustangs were able to get out to a quick lead, and thanks to some shaky serving from across the court were able to maintain that cushion. In a play that could summarize the entire set, the Ottawa Gee-Gees missed a critical serve late, awarding the Mustangs set point. And it did not go to waste as Western closed out the set 25-22.
If the Gee-Gees took their collective feet off the gas in the second set, then they pushed the pedal to the metal in the third. The Gee-Gees once again found their serving stride and jumped to a quick lead. Soon they were leading the ‘Stangs 12-5 and looked completely in control. Despite trying to cover the whole court, Ottawa continued to find the holes and retained their lead. The set would end with the Gee-Gees easily taking it 25-13.
Down but not out, the Mustangs looked ready in the fourth set to try and push the match to a fifth in hopes of extending their season. However, the Mustangs struggled on the serve in the fourth set, missing at key times and the Gee-Gees were able to take advantage. With a comfortable lead, the Gee-Gees looked ready to close out the set, but the Mustangs fought hard till the very end. The final points saw both teams engaging in long rallies filled with impressive digs. Despite their effort, the Mustangs were unable to come back and dropped the fourth set 25-18 and the match 3-1.
Leading the way for the Gee-Gees was Karina Krueger Schwanke who had 15 kills and 17 points in the four-set affair.
The loss marks the end of the season for the Mustangs who had been hoping to qualify for the Final Four tournament this season. However, despite the early exit, the team should be proud of their fight and for a successful season.
