The purple and white record sits at 12-4 heading into this weekend, with only three games left before the post season kicks off. This Saturday will see the Mustangs head to Hamilton, to take on the toughest competition the OUA West has to offer in the McMaster Marauders.

Western and McMaster met once before this season, with the Marauders coming away with a four set victory (21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25). Despite the loss, all four sets were relatively close in score with the two teams performing similarly.

Just as she did in that game, Kelsey Veltman has led the Mustangs on the score sheet all year long.  The 6-2 middle averages 3.22 kills per set, and 4.8 points. Her point total in part comes from her status as one of the most imposing blockers in the league, as well as her presence at the service line. The last three games have seen Veltman's serve tear through the opposing serve receive to total 15 aces. Across those few games, she averaged 1.25 per set.

Danielle Grasman has also proven herself to be one of the league's most reliable servers. She's totaled 19 aces so far this season, but has also been on the base line and served through several substantial point runs for the Mustangs. While her serve may not guarantee a point as easily as some others on the roster, Grasman is one of the best athletes to have serving when your team can't afford to make an error.

However, last weekend saw a shift in the lineup that may clear the way for a new standout. Veltman moved over to the left side, opening up a spot on the floor for Kristina Curcin.

Curcin joined the purple and white roster this season as a transfer from the University at Buffalo. As a versatile athlete, she can comfortably play as both a middle and a right side - but hit the floor as the former on Sunday. Despite only playing for three of the four sets, Curcin was the second highest scoring Mustang with 17.5 points.

The Social Sciences student was one of the only athletes on the floor who was able to consistently best the Windsor blockers, while also proving to be an asset in the back court.  

One of the primary benefits of having Curcin on the floor beside Veltman came at the net, as the pair formed a towering block that created problems for the Lancers. Blocking has been a cornerstone of Western's game all season long, with the team statistically ranked as one of the best in the OUA.

Western at McMaster – February 17, 2018 at 12 pm – Watch LIVE at OUA.tv

McMaster will welcome the Mustangs on Saturday for their penultimate game of the season, with their playoff seeding already secured at number one in the West.

In terms of records, the game has little meaning for either team. McMaster has already locked up the top spot in the West Division, while the Mustangs have secured second. Mathematically, there is no way either team will change positions before the end of the season.

However, the last few seasons have seen a growing rivalry between the two teams who often meet in the playoffs, so fans can expect both teams to be playing at an eleven.

The Marauders can be expected to put their high charged offense on full display, as one of the most effective in the league. McMaster is second in the OUA in kills per set (11.53), and hitting percentage (.223).

Setter Caitlin Genovy runs a diverse offence – with the three most frequently set athletes all holding different positions and four athletes averaging at least two kills per set. She has been favouring her right sides lately, with Rachel Woock receiving the bulk of sets. However, Aleks Arsovic and Maicee Sorenson are more likely to generate points for the Marauders.

Arsovic's 2.75 kills per set leads the team, while Sorenson follows with 2.64. The duo have stepped up their game in the new year as they compensate for the absence of Joanna Jedrzejewska on the floor.

Jedrzejewska had spent the season being one of the most utilized athletes on the Marauder roster. Her total number of attacks dwarfed that of her teammates, and she was one of their most valuable defensive players. Last time McMaster and the Mustangs met on the floor, Jedrzejewska recorded 13 points – the second highest total for McMaster.

However, Jedrzejewska has been absent from the court since January 13. She's only played in eight of McMaster's 17 games, and is likely to remain on the bench this Saturday as well.

With one of their top players sidelined, the Mustangs are in a solid position to best McMaster.