LONDON, Ont. – The Gee-Gees may not have been the first racehorse out of the gate on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Hall, but that didn't stop them from surpassing the Mustangs after a two set deficit to win the match 2-3.

With the loss, the Mustang record sits at 3-6 for the season good for fourth place in the OUA West standings. While the Gee-Gees sit in third place in the OUA East with a 5-2 record.
 
"Looking at set one and two, we were in control 100% of the time," says Coach Melissa Bartlett. "They had a few runs of points, but we never really relinquished our lead. During set three, we started to take a step backwards when they pushed us back. Mid-way through set three was where the momentum shifted, and then it was really hard to get it back."
 
"All we're going to do moving forward is focus on the positives. That was probably the best match we've played this season so far. Regardless of the score, best match, and we're happy with that."
 
Starting off the first set with a series of un-returnable serves, the Gee-Gees left the Mustangs trailing by four points. Despite leading for much of the match, the Mustangs flipped the score to pull ahead at 20-19 after adjusting to the powerful attacks and consistent serving displayed by Ottawa.
 
Ending on a kill from fourth year Mustang Laura Lytwynec, the Mustangs took the first set 25-20. 
 
Stepping back on to the court energized by their earlier success, the Mustangs raced ahead of the Gee-Gees to create a four-point deficit. Relying on their strong net play, the Mustangs extended the lead to 8 points at 18-10 and force a time-out from Ottawa.
 
Returning back to the court, Ottawa surged through the Mustang blocks for six points, interrupted only twice by points from the purple and white, to bring the score to 22-20. Un-intimidated by the Gee-Gees, the Mustangs scored three fast points to win the second set 25-20.
 
Taking an early lead in the third set, the Mustangs forced Ottawa into a five-point deficit using tight defense and refusing to allow the ball to drop. The Gee-Gees responded by focusing on powerful kills that left the Mustangs stunned and unable to react. Surpassing Western, Ottawa used serving consistency and strategic net play to force the Mustangs into a time-out at 16-22.
 
Unable to pull back the reigns on the Gee-Gee, Western struggled to combat their newly energized opponents and lost the third set 17-25 after a kill from Sophie Chenail.
 
Hoping to end the match in four sets, the Mustangs raked up a fast five-point deficit for the Gee-Gees. Quickly adjusting to the Western game plan, Ottawa filled defensive holes and focused on blocking attacks to tie up the set at 10-10.
 
Exchanging points, both teams worked to exploit known areas of weakness in service and attack reception, until communication errors by the Mustangs allowed Ottawa to pull ahead.
 
Despite calling two time-outs after the Gee-Gees hit 20 points, Western was unable to stop their momentum and regain control of the set. Ending with a kill from Alix Durivage, Ottawa took the fourth set 20-25.
 
Stepping back onto the court for the determining set, both teams were looking to end the match quickly. Despite starting out with an early lead, the Mustangs were soon surpassed and fell into an insurmountable three-point deficit.
 
Struggling to combat the tall blocks and powerful attacks from the opposite end of the court, Western's point deficit extended until Durivage ended the match at 9-15 with a service ace.
 
Rookie Kelsey Veltman led the score sheet, recording 27 points throughout the five sets from 20 kills, two service aces, four solo blocks, and two assisted blocks. Myriam English followed closely behind with 21 points, while Durivage recorded 18.5.
 
The Mustangs take a 12-day break before returning to the court, with their next match scheduled for November 28 at Alumni Hall against Windsor. The game is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.