WINDSOR, Ont. – The Windsor Lancers handed the Mustangs men's volleyball team their second loss of the season, defeating Western 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 17-25, 25-20) on Thursday night at the St. Denis Centre.
 
The loss, Western's second consecutive defeat, gives the Mustangs a 4-2 record, while the Lancers improve to 3-3 on the year.
 
After opening up the initial set with an exchange of points, the Lancers took a small two-point lead early on in the set. Unable to push away from the Mustangs and create a substantial deficit, Western fought back to tie the score at 5-5.
 
Taking the lead for the first time in the set at 7-6, Western capitalized on strong attacks and tight defence to maintain in control of the set until consecutive errors put Windsor back into the lead at 13-15.
 
Forcing a Mustang time out at 16-19, the Lancers kept Western at an arms length by capitalizing on unforced and communication errors. Pushing back, the Mustangs brought the score to 21-22 before Windsor interrupted their momentum with a time-out.
 
Ending on a kill from London native Greg Simone, the Lancers took the first set 23-25.
 
Stepping on to the court for the second set, the Lancers continued to ride the momentum from the previous set to take an early four point lead at 6-2, eventually extending their lead to six points at 9-3.
 
Forced into a timeout at 15-22, Western struggled against seemingly impermeable blocks and multiple serving errors. Ending on a Mustang serving error, the Lancers took the second set 16-25.
 
Opening up the third set with another early lead, the Lancers hammered out well placed kills and serves to push the Mustangs into a three-point deficit at 4-7. Unwilling to allow the third set to escape from them, the Mustangs tied things up and began to pull ahead after numerous unforced Lancer errors.
 
Eventually taking a six-point lead at 20-14, the Mustangs refused to allow the match to end in three sets. Showcasing why they sit near the top of the OUA standings, the Mustangs continued to control the play, ultimately taking the third set 25-17.
 
Again taking an early 9-5 lead in the fourth set, the Lancers were looking to end the match quickly. A series of unreturnable serves and a refusal to let the ball drop allowed Windsor to extend the lead to five points at 12-17.
 
Succumbing to the powerful attacks of the Lancers, the Mustangs lost the fourth and final set 20-25.
 
For the sixth match in a row veteran Justin Scapinello led the scoresheet. With 17.5 points, Scapinello recorded 15 kills, two service aces, and an assisted block. Fellow Mustang Mike Choja came in second on the scoresheet with 17 points from 13 kills and four solo blocks. Gabriel Burlacu led the Lancers in total points, contributing 15 from 13 kills and two service aces.
 
The Mustangs schedule is now clear until November 21 when they host Nipissing at Alumni Hall. Game time is set for 7 p.m.