Box Score GUELPH, Ont. – After putting together three game winning streak, the Mustangs were unable to take their fourth in a row on Saturday night, falling to the Guelph University Gryphons 3-1 in their final game of the season with set scores (25-21, 25-27, 25-17,25-23).
 
The loss eliminates Western from playoff contention despite a strong second-half push from the determined group of Mustangs that had them in a tie for fourth-place heading into their final match.
 
The first set started with Western taking a lead as Windemere Jarvis and Serena Smith both registered kills. By the technical time-out, the Mustangs were leading 16-11, but after Guelph tied the set up at 20-all Guelph turned their play around, adding points to the board with two service aces and a kill. The Guelph team also benefited from technical errors made by the Mustangs, finishing the set 25-21.
 
Like in the first, the Mustangs took control of the court in the second set until the Gryphons equalized at 5-5 and then took control, eventually establishing a 19-16 lead. The Mustangs made two service errors which helped Guelph edge closer to a win but, thanks to the play of Nimi Bassi on defence and another kill from Serena Smith, Western was able to close the gap and tie it up at 24-24. Yet Guelph still had some push, and after subbing in players and tallying two more kills they persevered 27-25.
 
The two teams went kill for kill in the third set with Western pulling ahead thanks to their strong offence and the technical errors made by the Gryphons. The Mustangs subbed in players at 13-11 and continued to rack up the points before Guelph called a time-out to re-strategize. With one final service ace from Kenzie MacDonald, Western took the set 25-17.
 
The fourth and final set started with Guelph making three unanswered kills in a row before Western began to catch up with points and tie the set at 15-15 heading into the technical time-out. Returning to the court, the Gryphons and Mustangs battled it out leaving few points between them on the scoreboard. With a 24-23 lead, Guelph called a time-out and the decision paid off, as they pushed forward to take the set 25-23 and the match 3-1.
 
This game marked the end of the Mustangs' regular OUA season. After improving immensely and showing great potential down the stretch, it's clear that the team has much to look forward to next season.