Following last weekend's two wins, the Mustangs head into their final regular season matches with the goal of closing out the season on a winning streak. They currently sit in sixth place within the OUA, holding the final playoff spot with a record of 10-8.
As a team, the strength of the Mustangs lies in net play as they average 11.35 kills per set with 2.20 blocks. In the backcourt, libero Matt Silver is a big contributor to the team's 7.92 digs per set.
Justin Scapinello leads the purple and white offence, averaging 4.8 points per set. With a current total of 342 points, Scapinello is expected to hit the 350 mark in Saturday's match against York.
In addition to leading the Mustangs, the 6'3 London native appears on a variety of CIS leaderboards. Currently, Scapinello is holding down third place in kills per set (4.56), fifth in service aces (29), sixth in service aces per set (0.41), sixth total points (342), and is tied for third in points per set (4.8). Additional representation on the leaderboards comes from Mike Choja, who sits fourth overall in solo blocks (31).
Fans should also stay on the lookout for outside hitter Gavin Taylor, who recently recorded a new career high for kills within one match, and first year setter Matt Hooker who raised his career high for assists within one match as well.
Western at York – Saturday February 7 at 4pm – Watch live at OUA.tv
With York only one place ahead of the Mustangs at fifth in the OUA, Saturday's match is sure to be competitive.
Holding an 11-7 record, the Lions average 12.42 kills per set with 1.87 blocks per set. Tight defensive play led by outside hitter Ray Szeto has resulted in an average of 8.92 digs per set.
Szeto also leads the Lions at the net, averaging 4.2 points per set. Coming in behind him with an average of 3.9 points per set is freshman Josh Henderson.
As a team, York holds ninth place within the CIS in kills per set (12.42), hitting percentage (.271), and eighth in solo blocks (87).
Individually representing York on the leaderboards is libero Nikola Sandic, who ranks ninth in assists (676) and eighth in assists per set (9.8).
The match will take place at 4pm in York's Tait Mackenzie Gymnasium. Fans can stream the game online at OUA.tv.
Western at Nipissing – Sunday February 8 at 2pm
Sitting in ninth place within the OUA with a record of 5-13, the Nipissing Lakers will use the weekend to improve their final record before the end of the season. Coming directly off a three set win against University of Toronto, Nipissing can be expected to step on to the court with confidence.
As a team, the Lakers average 10.46 kills per set, with 2.54 blocks. With 8.87 digs per set, Nipissing is prepared to combat the typically point earning Mustang attacks.
Cameron Branch, sophomore right side hitter for the Lakers, leads the team in points, averaging 4.7 per set. Lyndon Sonego follows with an average of 2.9 points per set.
In addition to topping Nipissing's scoresheet, Branch also sits sixth in the CIS for points per set (4.7), and fourth in kills per set (4.1).
The match, scheduled to begin at 2pm, will take place at Nipissing's Robert J Surtees Student Athletic Center.
