LONDON, Ont. – Western rose to the challenge to defeat Trent in 3 clean sets sets.
Western pushed hard through two close sets, the teams evenly matched. However, they pushed strongly through the this and saw victory in a quick game. The energy of this success could be felt through the auditorium.
"It was a team effort, and we were able to get really into the game," Liam Cameron said. "It was a lot of fun and I think you could see that."
The Mustangs demonstrated the full force of their team, the second string players entering in their third successful set to claim victory for the team.
"They work so hard in practice" head coach Jim Sage reflected. "To see them get on and perform well is exciting for me, the parents, and the players, which is awesome."
The Mustangs began the first set in the lead. A series of very strong setups and kills by Western allowed them to pull ahead 12-6. An impressive dig by Nathan Phelps kept them in the set but Trent eventually came back with a stronger offensive effort, more energetically responsive to Western's defense. The deficit began to close, Western leading 21-17. A few clean kills from both teams followed but Western came out on top 25-19.
Western faced a much greater challenge in the second set. Trent made a strong offensive effort, allowing Western points only at their own attack failures. Excalibur stayed ahead 8-5. With an impressive dig by Phelps, the Mustangs pushed back with several strong blocks to tie the set 9-9. Long rallies followed, but several effective kills brought the Mustangs ahead. An impressive set brought them up 20-13. Trent was only able to earn a few more points before Western won the round 25-17.
Before the third set Sage challenged the team to step it up. "The second set didn't got that well, especially in the beginning" Sage said. "We had talked about this, but we also talked about not panicking even over a 25 point set. I told the guys, you gotta go out there and fight."
The team rose to the challenge with impressive efficiency. Several clean attacks and two consecutive service aces left little for Trent to do: Western began the third set 14-1. Though Trent refocused to earn a few points, several impressive kills, including a spike by Cameron, kept the Mustangs ahead. Western earned point after point and their blocks could not be penetrated. They won the set 25-7 and the game.
The final line score was 25-19, 25-17, 25-7
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Western's next action comes against Windsor on February 8 at Alumni Hall.
