LONDON, Ont. – After fighting through four sets of competitive play, the Western Mustangs fell to the Guelph Gryphons 3-1 this evening at Alumni Hall.

"With any game early in the season it's a learning opportunity," says Coach Melissa Bartlett. "It was an error prone match, neither team really executed very well. Finding the motivation to play hard consistently was a struggle for us, and that's something we need to work on with a young team. Guelph's attack efficiency picked up, and we didn't adjust enough while they adjusted to us a little bit better"
 
With the loss, the Mustangs stand at a 2-3 season record, while the Gryphons stand at 3-2. 
 
Taking an early lead with a kill and subsequent ace, the Gryphons utilized their momentum to push the Mustangs into a six point deficit at 1-7. Focusing on covering and hitting around the Guelph blocks, the Mustangs rallied to tie up the set at 11-11.
 
Struggling to create a substantial point differential, both teams remained within two points of each other, with the set again tied at 24-24. Taking the advantage after an attacking error from Guelph, Aja Gyimah's unreturnable attack won the first set for the Mustangs 28-26.
 
Walking on to the court for the second set, neither team was willing to allow the other to attain a substantial lead. Exchanging points early in the set, the teams remained close until Guelph was able to pull away to create a four point lead at 11-15 and force a Mustang time out.
 
The Mustangs were able to bring the score within two at 16-18 but Guelph focused on a rigorous defense and tight covering to prevent dropping the ball. Winning on an attacking error from the Mustangs, Guelph took the set 16-25 and ensured the match would extend to a fourth set.
 
Stepping on to the court for the third set with refreshed determination, the Mustangs took an early three point lead over the Gryphons, who retaliated with a strong performance at the net to pull ahead 6-12. Despite extending their point gap, the Gryphons continued to challenge the purple and white defense. The Gryphons ended the set with a kill and won the third set 19-25. 
 
Goning into the fourth set, Guelph continued to challenge the defensive play of the Mustangs. Strong blocks prevented the typically strong attacks from the Mustangs while Guelph's defensive play remained tight giving them a 15-11 lead.
 
After a kill from right side hitter Gyimah and her following serve, Guelph began the feel pressure from the Mustangs and called a time out at 16-17. Re-extending their lead to four points, the Gryphons took the fourth and final set 20-25.
 
Madison Dedecker of the Gryphons topped the score sheet with 20 points, while Serena Smith followed with 15 points from 12 kills, two aces, and two blocks.
 
Next up, the Mustangs will travel to Windsor on Thursday, November 6 to take on the Lancers. Game time is set for 6 p.m.