After splitting their games last weekend with a loss to McMaster and a victory over Waterloo, the Mustangs are back in action and looking to close out the first half of the season on a high note when they take on Brock and Windsor this weekend.
                                                                                                                                                             
With the loss to McMaster, unforced errors have been revealed as one of the weaker points of the purple and white game. Perhaps a result of too much enthusiasm, Friday's match saw multiple balls being sent long off the serve and attack. Regaining their footing in Saturday's matchup against Waterloo, the Mustangs were back to using their characteristically strong blocks to come out on top.
 
With Kelsey Veltman sidelined due to injury, fellow middle Danielle Grasman has taken over as the top blocker on the roster in recent matches. Often closing with Aja Gyimah, the pairing is quickly becoming one of the most dominating duos on the floor.
 
Also a threat at the net offensively, Gyimah leads the team in points per set (4.2) as her left-handed attack has been proven to throw off opposing blockers.
 
Fans should also stay on the lookout for Katherine Tsiofas. Now in her third year as a Mustang, the setter is an established triple threat. Second in the OUA for assists per set (8.96), the Toronto native is also Western's leading server with 16 service aces and has been known to pump out a few kills per game to keep the other side of the court on their toes.
 
Western vs Brock – Friday, November 27 at 6 p.m.– Watch live on OUA.tv 
 
Seated last in the OUA West Division with a 1-7 record, the Badgers are in the midst of what could be considered a rebuilding year and will be looking to get their season back on track when they come to Alumni Hall on Friday night.
 
With only five athletes are third year eligibility or above the Brock contingent lost two big influences on the floor with Lauren Stirling and Renee Helmer both absent from the 2015-16 roster. OUA All-Star Stirling, one of the top setters in Ontario, also led the OUA in service aces in her final year of eligibility. Helmer, a Second Team All-Star, made a name for herself from the left side by averaging 4.09 points per set.
 
However, OUA All-Rookie Abby Jenkins has returned alongside standout libero Karlinna O'Leary. Now in her fourth year, O'Leary ended the previous season as the OUA and CIS leader in both total digs (375) and digs per set (5.28) to earn an invitation to the Canadian National B Team tryout over the summer.
 
Fourth year middle Maddie Brown is also quickly making her presence known in the OUA. Standing at 6-1, the Physical Education student is slowly but surely rising through the OUA standings to tie for fifth in solo blocks. With 10 on the season, she sits only three blocks behind the leaders.
 
Now leading the team in total points (56.5) and points per set (2.0), Brown will be the greatest threat to the purple and white game. 
 
 
Western at Windsor – Saturday, November 28 at 6 p.m.– Watch live on OUA.tv 
 
Saturday's matchup at the St. Denis Centre is sure to be intense as the Lancers will be looking to avenge a four set loss to the Mustangs that served as the season opener for both teams.
 
Since first seeing the Mustangs, the Lancers have moved to a 5-3 record on the season, with their other two losses coming against Guelph and McMaster. One spot below Western in OUA West, the third place Lancers continue to have flashes of brilliance on the floor.
 
The middles have proven to be the driving force behind the Windsor offence, with Shannon Dean and Emily McCloskey leading the team in points. Dean, averaging 4.3 points per set, and recording 22 total blocks thus far tops the roster, while McCloskey comes in behind with 2.9 points per set with 20 total blocks.
 
Assisting the powerhouse duo is transfer Lauren Stirling. Previously with the Brock Badgers, the Master's student averages 7.86 assists per set, and has already 13 service aces to her name.
 
The previous matchup saw strong serving from the Mustangs, challenging the Windsor serve reception that has posted the second most errors in the OUA this season.