The Mustangs return to Alumni Hall this weekend to host a pair of matches against the Lakehead Thunderwolves, but unlike the previous few weeks they'll head onto the court recognized as one of the fiercest competitors in Canada.
 
Western made their debut as a U Sports Top 10 team in tenth place on the fourth release of the season. The commendation is a first for everyone on the Mustangs roster, as well as head coach Melissa Bartlett.
 
The purple and white season record remains unblemished at 5-0, with only McMaster and the defending national champions in the Varsity Blues also having earned a perfect season thus far.
 
A well-rounded game has been key to the success of the Mustangs, with the team leading the league in points (324.5), service aces (45), and two of the four blocking categories. They're also among the best in the OUA when it comes to kills (236), kills per set (11.80), and points per set (16.2).
 
The team has also recorded some of the OUA's highest numbers for service errors, although a little bit of context helps explain the uncharacteristic weakness. Western has competed in 20 sets across five games, while the OUA average sits between 16 and 17 sets. With the equivalent of an extra match under their belt, it stands to reason that the Mustangs may have a higher service error total than some of their competitors.
 
Just as they have in the past, the duo of Kelsey Veltman and Aja Gyimah have led the Mustangs offence so far this season.
 
Veltman leads Western at the net with 4.33 kills-per-set, and in all four blocking categories. The 6-2 middle leads the OUA in solo blocks (8), assisted blocks (16), total blocks (24), and blocks-per-set (1.33), while also topping the league in total points (102) and points per set (5.7).
 
Gyimah's point totals fall behind a number of other Mustangs after a three-game absence due to injury, but when averaged over total sets played it becomes obvious that the Brescia College student is one of the most valuable athletes on the roster. Her 3.63 kills-per-set is second only to Veltman, while the average 2.75 digs per set is outperformed only by libero Courtney Sestric. Gyimah also holds the second highest point-per-set average on the team.
 
Friday, November 18 vs. Lakehead – 7 p.m. – Watch live on OUA.tv
Saturday, November 19 vs. Lakehead – 7 p.m. – Watch live on OUA.tv
 
The Mustangs only have one opponent this week, hosting the Lakehead Thunderwolves for back-to-back contests on Friday and Saturday night. Lakehead holds a 0-6 record heading into the weekend to sit seventh overall in the OUA West, making them one of two OUA teams without a win so far this season alongside the 0-5 RMC Paladins.
 
Kailian Robinson can be expected to generate the highest number of points for the Thunderwolves, with her 2.77 kills per set and 3.3 points per set leading the team. The left side from Hamiota, Man. is also one of the few seniors who will be on the court.
 
In addition to Robinson, only three other fourth-year seniors appear on the roster in Sara Potter, Olivia Bowman, and Rachel Moore. The bulk of the team is in their first or second year of eligibility, a situation not unlike that of the Mustangs over the past two seasons.
 
However, Western has proven over the last few years that age isn't everything when it comes to volleyball. A number of Lakehead's standouts are fairly young, with left side Leah Mousseau and libero Alyssa Genereux both returning after being named to the OUA All-Rookie team last season.