With only three more weeks of action remaining on the schedule, the Mustangs are sitting comfortably in second in the OUA West with an 11-4 record. This week will see the team take on the Windsor Lancers, in a relatively low-stakes game.
 
Considering the number of games remaining on the schedule, it isn't possible for the Mustangs to drop below second. Even if they were to lose each of the remaining scheduled contests and the third-place Windsor Lancers were to win all three of theirs, Western would still hold a narrow lead.
 
The Mustangs have won six of their last seven contests, recently falling to the Toronto Varsity Blues.
 
Just as she has done all year long, Kelsey Veltman continues to lead the team in total points. Her attack and towering block are among the most effective in the OUA, but recent games have seen her become an emerging presence at the base line as well.
 
While her serve has always caused trouble for opposing athletes, her most recent two contests saw her rack up a combined ten aces – bringing her total to 28 and establishing her as the most lethal server on the Mustang roster.
 
Prior to last week's contests, Melissa Langegger had led the team at the service line alongside Danielle Grasman.
 
Defensively speaking, the team has slowly improved throughout the season.
 
Statistically Western's serve receive is in the middle of the pack – averaging 1.12 reception errors a game – but has been a point of focus for the team lately as they work to improve their defensive coverage.
 
Fourth-year libero Courtney Sestric has served as the starter for the Mustangs since her first season, and has continually led the team from the backcourt. Her 3.13 digs per set leads the team, but also consistently provide setters Kat Tsiofas and Jessica Lam with passes that leave open all the offense options.
 
Langegger and Aja Gyimah round out the top three defensive athletes on the purple and white roster, each boasting more than two digs a set.
 
Western at Windsor – Sunday, February 11 – watch LIVE on OUA.tv
 
The matchup against Western is the only game for the Lancers this weekend, so the team can be expected to have spent hours pouring over game tape to prepare for Sunday.
 
Western's seeding for playoffs is already locked in at second in the West, but the Windsor Lancers are only one loss away from Guelph tying them for third.
 
In order to top the Mustangs this weekend, the Windsor Lancers will likely focus on the same comprehensive defensive coverage that caused trouble for the Mustangs in the earlier matchup between the two teams.
 
Outside Carleigh Bailey can be expected to dominate defensive coverage for the Lancers, as she currently averages 5.48 digs per set. Her average is easily the best in OUA, and marks her as a scrappy athlete who can always get hands on the ball.
 
As a whole, the team defensive averages sit above those of the Mustangs. Their 15.95 digs per set sits far ahead of Western's 12.64, while the teams fare similarly in terms of serve reception. The discrepancy likely means that rallies will last longer than fans of the purple and white are used to, as the Lancers have proven themselves able to continue play following an attack that typically would have ended a rally.
 
Offensively, the team can be expected to continue to rely on rookie Paige Phills.
 
Phills leads the team with 2.69 kills per set, and 3.4 points. As the most frequently set Lancer, the Mustangs will need to quickly familiarize themselves with her style of play. Lexi Pollard, Jade Ziebarth, and Emily McCloskey are the only other Badgers to average more than two points per sets.