QUEBEC CITY, Quebec- The Western Mustangs men’s volleyball team stepped onto the court at Universite Laval for the second time this weekend to challenge their rivals, the McMaster Marauders in the national semifinal. It was an incredibly close game in front of a packed house tonight as the two Ontario teams faced off. Western put up a good fight, but was unable to push past McMaster falling in three straight sets. The Mustangs will rally for the CIS bronze medal tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
 
Set scores were 23-25, 25-27, 21-25.
 
Leading the Mustangs was setter Sean McKay with 34 assists, followed by Garrett May with 10 kills on 31 attempts, Alan Screaton with eight kills on 21 attempts, and Luke Sim with four blocks.
 
The Western Mustangs men’s volleyball team stepped onto the court with confidence after their big win over the Trinity Western Spartans yesterday afternoon. Rallying against the Marauders, it was no surprise that the set remained extremely close, going point for point for the majority of the set. McMaster managed to sneak past Western, winning the race to set point, and eventually took the set by a close score of 25-23.
 
The second set began with a long rally, but the Marauders eventually earned the first point before the Mustangs tied up the set. Throughout the set, the Mustangs were able to match the Marauders every point. Even at 9-9, the Mustangs managed to break the trend, edging the Marauders by two, eventually taking a 16-12 lead at technical the timeout. Keeping their edge, Western held the lead at 21-18, but McMaster caught up, and eventually pushed past white and purple. Returning back to a point for point affair, Western won the race to set point, but was beat once again by McMaster 27-25.
 
Down two sets, the Mustangs were determined to finally trump the Marauders. Rallying for every point, Western tried to push past McMaster, but after a short point for point affair, the Marauders settled into a steady lead for the majority of the set. McMaster won the race to set point with Western immediately delayed a victory by winning back the serve. However, the Mustangs could not delay for long as the Marauders climbed to a 25-21 victory.
 
With the 3-0 win, the Marauders have secured their place in the CIS championship final, marking the first time since 1991 that an Ontario team will play for the national title.
 
Leading the Marauders was Jayson McCarthy with 15 kills on 28 attempts and four blocks.
 
The Western Mustangs return to the court tomorrow, Sunday, March 3 to play in the CIS bronze medal match at 1:00 p.m.