WINDSOR, Ont. – Twenty-one points from Laura Lytwynec helped the Western Mustangs defeat the Windsor Lancers in four sets (25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 26-24) on Thursday night at the St. Denis Centre.
 
With the win, the Mustangs hold a 3-3 regular season record, while the Lancers fall to 2-5.
 
Taking an early lead in the first set, the Mustangs kept the Lancers trailing by two points until Windsor was able to tie it up at 7-7 after consecutive Mustang errors. Struggling to distance themselves from the Lancers, the teams traded points until Western was able to force Windsor back into a two-point deficit at 13-11.
 
Pushing the point differential to eleven points, the Mustangs focused on tight defence and strategic play at the net and take the set 25-14.
 
Stepping out onto the court for the second set with renewed confidence, the Lancers took a quick 2-0 lead over the Mustangs. Having learned to attack around the strong blocks thrown up by Western, the Lancers pushed Western into a four-point deficit at 4-8.
 
Windsor kept the Mustangs at bay for much of the set, maintaining a minimal point difference of three. Forced into a time-out at 14-20, the Mustangs struggled with technical and unforced errors throughout much of the set.
 
Closing the gap with consistent serving and strong blocks, the Mustangs brought the score to 24-24. Taking the one point lead after a block from the Mustangs put the ball out of bounds, the Lancers took the set 26-24 on a Western error.
 
Taking control of the third set early on, the Lancers were unwilling to allow a repeat of the Mustang success in the first set. Coming back from a five-point deficit to bring the score to 10-11, the Mustangs refused to allow the Lancers to feel comfortable in their lead.
 
Maintaining a small lead, the Mustangs pushed through Lancer attacks to bring the score to 21-16 and force the Lancers into a time-out. Ending on an out of bounds attack from Windsor, Western took the set 25-21.
 
Keeping the fourth set competitive, neither team allowed the other to create a substantial point difference as the set was tied at 6-6. Looking to end the match in four sets, the Mustangs took an 11-8 lead after rounds of rigorous defensive play. Fighting back, the Lancers turned the score around after a five point run, which included two aces, to bring the score to 11-12.
 
Unwilling to relinquish the match, the Mustangs tied up the score at 14-14. Maintaining a high level of competition, the teams were stuck within a one-point margin of each other as they exchanged points to 24-24. Taking advantage after a Lancer error, Serena Smith won the set for the Mustangs 26-24 with an unreturnable attack.
 
Laura Lytwynec topped the scoresheet with a total 21 points. The King's College student recorded 16 kills, three service aces, and two solo blocks. Lancer Shannon Dean recorded the second highest number of points with 18.5, while Candice Scott and Katie McKenna contributed 12.5 each for the purple and white.
 
The Mustangs now look to their matchup against Brock in St. Catherines on Sunday, November 9. Game time is set for 2:00.