Hamilton, ON – The Mustangs dropped their season opener 3-1 to the McMaster Marauders Friday night.

The entire 1st set was back and forth with their only being one instance where the Mustangs scored four consecutive points in the mid-way point of the set as Western took a point on a service error and then proceeded to grab three more on serves from Liam Cameron to pull with one point at 12-11. Both teams would trade chances throughout the rest of the first, ending with McMaster taking the opening set, 25-22.
 
Western came out on fire in the second set. They quickly moved up 7-3 on an attack error by the Marauders. McMaster would get back into the set going on a 6 point streak during Sam Coopers service moving from down 16-12 to take a 17-16 lead. After the set was evened at 19, Western went on a five point run to finish off the set and even the match at 1-1.

The third set, much like most of the match was fairly even with McMaster taking the third set 25-22 and a 2-1 match lead.
 
The Mustangs weren't giving up, getting the first three points of the fourth set, they kept the lead moving and eventually got to a 13-11 lead mid-way through the set. The big swing then came for McMaster as they racked up seven straight points to take a 18-14 lead. Western would pull to within a point at 21-20 but three straight Marauders points put the game away and McMaster finished the set with a 25-21 win to take the match 3-1.
 
Brady Fidler led the Mustangs with 16 points and 15 kills, Jackson Bere was right behind him with 13 points and 10 kills.
 
The Mustangs remain on the road this weekend as they head to Brock for a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Badgers. Game time is set for 4:00 pm from the Bob Davis Gym in St. Catharines. The Mustangs return to Alumni Hall for their home opener on Wednesday, October 30^th against Guelph. Game time is 8:00pm and tickets can be purchased at westernmustangs.ca/tickets.