LONDON, Ont. – In a match characterised by comebacks that went both in favour of and against the Mustangs, Western was able to overcome a one-set deficit and take down the Guelph Gryphons in four sets (25-27, 27-25, 25-14, 25-23) on Friday night at Alumni Hall. 
 
The seventh consecutive win gives the Mustangs an 11-2 record to keep them second in OUA West, while the Guelph sits in fourth place with a 6-8 record.
 
"We need to learn that no matter who gets put in, we should be able to finish it out," said Western's Kelsey Veltman following the game. "No matter who gets put on the court. Just focus on what needs to be done and killing the point as quickly as possible."
 
Aja Gyimah led the charge for the Mustangs, recording 20 points throughout the night. Veltman came in just behind with 18, while libero Courtney Sestric stood out in the backcourt as she picked up 15 digs.
 
Madison Dedecker posed the biggest challenge to the Mustangs, registering 16 points in the loss.
 
The Mustangs may have not yet seen a more evenly matched set than the first installment of their win over Guelph. While Western built and maintained a two or three-point lead throughout most of the set every single point had to be pried away from the fiery Gryphons.
 
Sestric kept the rallies alive on the Mustang end of the floor, picking up seven of the 21 digs on Western's scoresheet. The Mustangs finally began to add to their lead after consecutive blocks from Katie McKenna, Danielle Grasman and Gyimah appeared to shake Guelph's confidence.
 
Dedecker began mounting a Gryphon comeback after taking over at the baseline with two consecutive aces, giving Guelph all the momentum they needed to take the first set 25-27.
 
"We weren't focused in the first set," said interim head coach Heather Brinkman. "We didn't play our game. We let them in too many times with errors and a few runs."
 
The second set opened up with Guelph firing out rockets on every attack and the Mustangs responding with the force of Veltman. With the 6-2 Brampton native at the net, Western was also able to cut off Dedecker – undoubtedly the biggest offensive threat on the Gryphon court.
 
Adjusting to a harder hitting purple and white contingent, the Gryphons tightened up defensively, making a number of impressive saves that – while occasionally overshooting the setter – allowed the opportunity for the rally to continue.
 
While the Gryphons briefly had their moment in the sun when they moved ahead of the home-court Mustangs, Western was ultimately able to eclipse Guelph to close out the second set at 27-25.
 
The Gryphons showed little resistance after returning to the floor for the third set, allowing the Mustangs four consecutive points. With more balls hitting the floor than the forearms of Guelph's back three, the previously energetic Gryphons appeared dazed.
 
Despite using up all the allowed substitutions before hitting the technical timeout, Guelph continued to struggle recapture their previous chemistry on the floor.
 
Veltman, Gyimah, McKenna, and captain Serena Smith continued to make quick work of the Gryphon defense while Sestric and setter Katherine Tsiofas made sure to set them up for success.
 
Ending the third with an eleven-point lead, the Mustangs took the set 25-14 for a 2-1 lead.
 
Guelph headed onto the floor for the fourth set with seemingly revitalized energy and determination. Able to stay in closer proximity to Western's score thanks in part to Kristen Almhjell's backcourt performance.
 
Although the Gryphons came out stronger in the fourth, no amount of energy could defend against the dominating duo of Veltman and Gyimah. Both as blockers and attackers, they put the ball away at every opportunity. 
 
"It's tough when the two of them play beside each other," said Brinkman. "They force blockers to choose between them. They did great."
 
It wasn't until middle Nicole Collard took over the serve that the Gryphons were able to claw themselves back into the set. Initially down by eleven points, she brought the score to 23-23 before Serena Smith was able to close out the game for good at 25-23.
 
The Mustangs are back on the floor – and searching for their eighth consecutive win – tomorrow night when they take on the CIS No. 6 McMaster Marauders.
 
"We're so ready, so ready," said Veltman about the upcoming match. "I've been waiting for this game for a while. I haven't played them yet because I've been injured, so I'm ready to go hard. It's going to be a good game."