After Western's upset of the first place McMaster Marauders last Saturday, the purple and white have advanced to the OUA Final Four, continuing the team's quest to medal at the OUA Championship. Heading into the semi-finals, Western will first face off against the top seed from the OUA East Division, the Toronto Varsity Blues.
 
The OUA Final Four is uncharted territory for this Mustangs roster, who haven't attended the tournament since 2011 when they won OUA gold. Although they reached the quarterfinals in 2013, no one on the Western roster has had the opportunity to participate in an OUA medal match.
 
Throughout the regular season the Mustangs experienced both highs and lows, finishing with a 7-12 record. However, as proven by the first round of playoffs, the purple and white record isn't reflective of the talent and ability within the team.
 
As a whole, the Mustangs averaged 11.15 kills per set with a .163 hitting percentage. Leading the Mustang offensive with an average of 3.7 points per set is rookie Kelsey Veltman, who has consistently topped score sheets in total points throughout the season.Veltman's stellar debut campaign was recognized by the OUA earlier this week as she was named the OUA West Player of the Year, OUA West Rookie of the Year, an OUA West First Team All-Star, and a member of the OUA West All-Rookie team.
 
Along with Veltman, Aja Gyimah has also been a big contributor to the Mustang effort, averaging 3.0 points per set.  In the backcourt, the Mustangs average 13.09 digs per set, as led by first year libero Courtney Sestric, who was also named to the West All-Rookie team.
 
Veltman is also the only Mustang to breach a CIS top ten category, as she currently holds the title of number one solo blocker – with a current total of 49 - within Canadian university sport. The 6'2 middle from Brantford also sits in seventh place for blocks per set with an average of 1.19.
 
Western vs. Toronto – Friday, February 20 at 8:30pm – Watch LIVE at OUA.tv
 
With only one loss under their belt for the 2014-15 season, the Varsity Blues can be expected to put up a tough fight as they vie for gold. Although they haven't won the banner since 2010, Toronto has made a second home of the OUA Final Four as they've attended 25 of the previous 26 tournaments.
 
Looking to break out of their three season OUA Bronze streak, the Blues were a force in the regular season. Soaring through the season with an 18 match winning streak, it wasn't until their final regular season game that Toronto was defeated.
 
After their 18-1 record put them first place in OUA East, the Blues took a quick victory in the first round of playoffs as they swept Queen's in three sets (25-14, 25-12, 25-17).
 
As a team, the Blues average 13.32 kills per set with a .262 hitting percent while leading the CIS in kills per set, attack percentage, assists per set, and points per set. Staying competitive in the backcourt, Toronto averages 17.85 digs per set.
 
In addition to team representation on the CIS leaderboards, numerous players are holding down positions in individual categories. Charlotte Cider. The OUA East Player of the Year, not only leads the Blues in points per set (4.1) but also ranks ninth in the CIS while holding down tenth place in kills per set (3.34). Jennifer Neilson and Tessa Davis sit side by side in seventh and eight place in hitting percent (.345, and .341) while Bojana Radan sits below Veltman in second place for solo blocks (42). Contributing to the offensive success of her teammates, Madelyn Mandryk leads in assists per set (10.19), as libero Denise Wooding is second in the CIS in digs per set (4.73).
 
Friday's game will determine whether the Mustangs head to the OUA Finals to fight for gold and a spot at the CIS Championship, or the bronze medal match. Fans can stream the game live on OUA.tv, with the first serve expected to be sent out at 8:30pm.