The purple and white win streak came to an end on Sunday, when the Windsor Lancers topped the Mustangs in five sets. Western won nine straight games before the run came to an end, beginning with a four-set triumph over Windsor on November 17.

Despite the loss, the Mustangs still have time to close out the season on a positive note, with three games remaining on the schedule before playoffs. This Saturday will see the team take on McMaster in the Burridge Gymnasium.

Western will head to Hamilton with an 11-3 record to sit second in the OUA West standings, but the Windsor Lancers are close behind. The Lancers are in third, but only one win away from matching the Mustangs in the standings.

Western has found success through the leadership of fourth-year setter Matt Hooker this season, as he has been lauded by coaches and teammates alike for athletic performance as well as his management of the team on and off the court.

Hooker's assists per set average (10.13) leads the OUA, largely a result of his willingness and ability to track down a ball regardless of where it's heading. For the most part the purple and white passing is solid, but when the ball does go awry Hooker has consistently been able to get the team back into system and into a position for a solid attack.

Bryn Ramsay has been Hooker's favourite target this season, and as a result leads the team in kills per set. Evan Hammond, however, boasts the highest hitting percentage on the team.  

Western at McMaster – Saturday, February 17 2018 at 2 pm – Watch LIVE on OUA.tv

The Marauders will head into Saturday's game with 14 straight wins under their belt, having not lost a match since their season opener to Ryerson. McMaster has a firm hold on first place in the West with a 14-1 record.

Statistically speaking, the Marauders seem infallible.

McMaster leads the league in kills per set (12.57), hitting percentage (.291), points per set (16.1), and are one of the top teams in regard to blocking, serving, and digging.

Compared to their opposition, McMaster has been able to largely evade being blocked at the net, while forming a solid barrier themselves. Outsides Matt Passalent and Andrew Richards have been able to hit through or around blocks for much of the season, and as a result both have impressive hitting percentages above .300.

In addition to hosting arguably the best offence in Ontario, the Marauders also boast one of the best serve receptions in the league. Fans of the purple and white can expect to see Matt Stasiuk hit the court as a response, as he has frequently stepped in for the Mustangs as a serving specialist.

The Marauders, however, have their own weapons at the service line. Richards, a London native, has totalled 25 aces this season alone to average an OUA leading 0.52 per set.  

Indeed, the Marauders seem infallible. But the Mustangs have already bested McMaster in two sets earlier in the season.

McMaster needed five sets to top the Mustangs in November, proving that they can be beating.