With Mustang Days in full swing, men's volleyball has two matches at Alumni Hall scheduled for the upcoming weekend.
Following a difficult match against Waterloo that resulted in a three-set loss, the Mustangs are hoping that their upcoming matches will help them break out of a tie within the OUA rankings. Currently sharing sixth place with Guelph, Western holds an 8-8 regular season record.
As a team, the Mustangs average 11.11 kills per set with a .225 hitting percentage, and 2.09 blocks per set. With an average of 7.68 digs per set, the purple and white defence struggled earlier in the season, but has performed consistently in recent matches.
Veteran Mustangs Justin Scapinello and Mike Choja have been leading the team in points per set, averaging 4.7 and 2.7, respectively, assisted by first year setters Brad Hockin and Matt Hooker.
In addition to leading the Mustangs in points, Scapinello and Choja are currently the only two on the team to represent Western on the CIS leaderboards. Scapinello dominates, holding down fifth place in kills per set (4.05), service aces (27), and service aces per set (.43) while taking eighth place in total points (298) and sixth in points per set (4.7). Meanwhile, Choja continues to hold down second place in total solo blocks (29).
Saturday, January 31 vs Queen's – 2:00 pm – Watch live at OUA.tv
First off for the Mustangs is a match against longtime rival Queen's University. With October's matchup resulting in a 3-0 win for the Mustangs, the Gaels are sure to be looking for redemption.
Averaging 12.23 kills per set with a .257 hitting percent and 2.33 blocks per set, the Gaels have the Mustangs statistically outmatched at the net. However, with an average of 11.61 digs per set, Queen's also exhibits excellence in the backcourt.
Senior Mike Tomlinson currently leads the Gaels in points, averaging 4.6 while holding down eighth place in the CIS for points per set. Phillippe Goyer follows with an average of 3.9 points per set.
Also appearing on the CIS leaderboard is libero Ivo Dramov. In addition to sitting in second place in total digs (196), Dramov currently ranks first in digs per set (3.50).
Saturday's match is scheduled to begin at 2pm at Alumni Hall. Fans can stream the game online at OUA.tv.
Sunday, February 1 vs RMC – 3:00 pm – Watch live at OUA.tv
Currently sitting in 11th place in the OUA with a 0-16 record, RMC is looking to the weekend to secure their first win of the season.
Averaging 6.98 kills per set with a .083 hitting percentage and 1.47 blocks per set, the Mustangs have the upper hand at the net. The strength of the Paladins has proven to lie in defensive action, with an average of 9.10 digs per set.
Blake McClelland leads the Paladins in total points (115.5) while averaging 2.3 per set. Right side attacker Adam Lupton follows with a total of 103 points while leading the team in points per set (2.6).
The match is set to begin at 3pm at Alumni Hall. Live streaming of the match is available for long-distance fans at OUA.tv.
