After splitting their weekend schedule with a quick defeat of RMC and a thrilling five-set loss to Queen's, the Mustangs recorded their first loss of the season to head into their upcoming weekend matchups with a 4-1 record.
 
Taking to the road, they'll see action against the McMaster Marauders first, before heading to Waterloo to take on the Warriors.
 
In addition to seeing the first loss thus far, the weekend also allowed for a bit more diversity on the court, with rookies Patricia Gombas, Maddy Hiltz, Kaleigh Matheson and Emma Somerville all seeing substantial time on the floor.
 
Scarborough native Aja Gyimah continues to lead the purple and white offense, recording a new career single game high (21.5 points) to settle into fourth place on the OUA leaderboard for points per set (4.4).  After trailing behind Kelsey Veltman in points for most of the 2014-15 season, Gyimah emerged onto the court to become one of the most dominant attackers in the OUA. Challenging blockers with her left handed attack, the Brescia student has become one of setter Katherine Tsiofas's favourite targets.
 
Keeping the Mustangs competitive in the back end are starting libero Courtney Sestic and Mustang veteran Serena Smith.  Unable to participate in the previous weekend's action, Sestric leads the team in digs per set (3.25), while Smith has accumulated a higher number of total digs (53). 
 
However, with a team total of 50 blocks – good for first in the OUA – the Mustang defence continues to be most dominant at the net.  Leading the team is 2014 OUA West Player of the Year Veltman. Standing at 6-2, the Brampton native posts an average of 1.29 blocks per set (22 total) to sit fifth on the CIS leaderboard.  
 
Often Veltman's partner at the net, Gyimah matches her 16 assisted blocks.
 
Western at McMaster – Friday, November 20 at 6 p.m.
 
Riding a three game winning streak and matching the purple and white record at 4-1 to top OUA West, the Marauders will be headed into Friday's game fired up.
 
All four 2014-15 OUA All-Stars are back on the roster this season and looking for another appointment, while the Marauders have also picked up a key recruit in London native Michelle Chelladuri. Joining the Marauder contingent from Forest City as the most recent Evelyn Holick Award winner, she immediately settled into Hamilton to earn the role of starting setter.
 
Leading the Marauder attack at the net is Joanna Jedrzejewska and Taylor Brisebois. Posting 3.9, and 3.7 points per set, the duo has quickly established themselves as players to watch on the McMaster end of the court.
 
Liberos Carly Heath and Khira Adams have been splitting time on the floor, each seeing action in three matches this season. Averaging respective 4.00 and 3.33 digs per set, either athlete can be considered a threat to the purple and white game that has come to focus on heavy hitters.
 
Western at Waterloo – Saturday, November 21 at 6 p.m.– Watch live on OUA.tv 
 
Sitting at fourth in OUA West with a 3-3 record, the Waterloo Warriors will head into the weekend pushing for a positive record. Before taking on the Mustangs, they'll be visited by the Windsor Lancers on Friday night.
 
The Warriors are still a relatively young team, with 12 of the 17 athletes in their first or second year of eligibility. Leading the rookie class is Kayla Wierts of Drayton, Ont. Quickly jumping into the starter spot, the Health Promotion student has been expected to be a powerful force on the floor for the Warriors.
 
While a number of new faces appear on the roster, OUA All-Rookies Sammie Gwozdz (OH) and Claire Mackenzie (OH) return alongside OUA Second Team All-Star Natasha Spaling (LIB).
 
The Warriors have had an up-and-down start to their season, alternating wins and losses one for one. However, the Waterloo contingent has only ended two of their six matches in three sets – both losses to McMaster.
 
Topping the Warrior scoresheet thus far is outside hitter Alyson Colpitts. Totalling 71 points with 55 kills, she can be expected to dominate the net and challenge the purple and white defense. Middle Emily Ibbotson can also be expected to shake things up on the floor. Despite standing at 5-9, she almost matches the totals of Western block leaders with 21 total blocks.