LONDON, Ont. – The U Sports No. 10 Western Mustangs needed only three sets to dispatch the nation's third-ranked team, defeating the McMaster Marauders 25-21, 25-22, and 25-17 on Saturday night at Alumni Hall. With the win, Western is the only undefeated team in the OUA West with an 8-0 record, while the Marauders were handed their first loss of the season.
"Everyone knows that we have such a great rivalry with this team, we were so fired up to play them," said head coach
Melissa Bartlett. "It's great recognition for our program, that we were able to beat a top three ranked team in three. It feels great."
"Because we've always been head-to-head with Mac, it's a really good accomplishment for our team – especially doing it in three," said
Aja Gyimah about the evening's win. "It also feels like we're kind of sticking it to U Sports, we should be higher ranked than we are."
Rallies went exclusively one of two ways throughout the first set; they were either shockingly lengthy or were done after three touches.
Western trailed for the majority of the first, with the Marauders maintaining a small two-point lead. Middle Maicee Sorenson, and outside Aleks Arsovic provided the offence that kept the Marauders ahead, while Carly Heath put forth a performance unmatched by any other libero the Mustangs have seen this season.
To no one's surprise Gyimah and Veltman were the greatest threats on the purple and white half of the floor, each ending the set with a .250 attack percentage.
The duo, supported by quick thinking and smart playmaking on the part of starting setter
Kat Tsiofas, were integral in the Mustangs catching up to McMaster to round the 20-point mark first.
By the final whistle, Western had secured a 25-21 win.
The Marauders again got off to a fast start in the second set, building up a commanding five point lead. But once again, the Mustangs proved that starting position isn't really what counts. For the second time in the match, Western matched the score of the Marauders late in the set and ended up coming out on top.
"Melissa just told us that we've got to take them 2-1 every point. Every two points for every one they score, and not to give up and keep fighting," said Gyimah about what caused the shift in momentum.
McMaster continued to rely on Arsovic – as Western's blockers had keyed on to season point leader Joanna Jedrzejewska and prevented her from her characteristic dominance of the game.
Western took control of the set with strong attacking of their own, led by Gyimah.
"As attackers, their shallow defence was something we went into set two trying to remember," said Bartlett. "Aja had a great offensive match, really exploited the deep corner spot, and we had three left sides cycling through and they all did a good job as well."
Also making a difference for the Mustangs was tight block coverage, accurate serving, and a reduction in attack errors. Essentially, Western was playing technically, enthusiastically, and with purpose.
The Marauders handed the Mustangs their final point of the game with an attack error, bringing the score to 25-22.
A dominant solo block from veteran middle
Candice Scott opened up the third set and immediately set the tone for the final frame. The Mustangs surged ahead with all cylinders firing, picking up points off their serving, attacking, and blocking.
"The energy on the court was really good at the end," noted Gyimah. "Everyone was working together, and it just really felt like we were all united and working in sync."
McMaster, for their part seemed exhausted on the court. There was a marked decrease in communication on the floor as well as cheering from the bench and crowd.
An ace from Tsiofas brought the game to a close, with the Mustangs taking the final set 25-17.
The undefeated Mustangs are next on the court in January, when they hit the road to take on the Windsor Lancers.
