London, ON - In their home opener the Western Mustangs faced the Guelph Gryphons at Alumni Hall on Wednesday night. After three close sets the Gryphons took the match 3-0.

Brady Fidler led the Mustangs in kills for the with 11 while Josiah Esau led in them in digs with 9. The Gryphons' Oliver Hissink and Ben Kissask led both teams in kills and digs respectively. 

The Gryphons took an early 6-3 lead in the set using their strong blocking to minimize the effect of the Mustangs' strong attacks. A powerful double block from Nick Prokopich and Evan Cranshaw helped Western close the gap to 8-7. Evan Cranshaw then went on to make an impressive diving play to continue a long rally. A kill from Jackson Bere brought the Mustangs within one point of the Gryphons. After the Mustangs tied the set 14-14 Guelph retook their lead, but a smart tip from Josiah Esau tied the set again at 15-15. A battle between the two teams began with neither team able to gain more than a one point lead over the other until the Gryphons clawed their way to a 23-21 lead over the Mustangs. The Gryphons went on to win the set 24-21.

The start of the second set took a similar tone as the first with the Gryphons taking a 6-3 lead. However, a kill from Jackson Bere followed by his back to back blocks allowed the Mustangs to tie the game up 6-6. After a short break because of blood on a jersey the score stood at 11-8 for the Gryphons. A kill from Gianfranco Sartor got the ball back in the Mustangs' hands. Guelph lead 19-15 as the teams entered the later part of the set. A service ace from Evan Cranshaw brought the set within two points shortening Guelph's lead to 20-18. Western closed the gap further as Guelph stood one point away from the win at 24-23. However, the Gryphons managed to claim the set with a score of 25-23.

The Gryphons took the first three points of the third set before Western answered back bringing the score to 3-2 for Guelph. The Mustangs played well in the early part of the set, but the Gryphons managed to find holes in the court to attack. The Gryphons began to extend their lead to 10-6. The Mustangs fought back, yet the Gryphons maintained a 14-9 lead heading into a timeout. Amit Sayal's kill started a rally for the Mustangs where they scored three points to shorten Guelph's lead to 14-12. However, the Gryphons still managed to gain a six point lead over the Mustangs heading into the late part of the set. A well placed tip from Brady Fidler brought the game to 18-13 for Guelph. Western forced Guelph to take a timeout as they brought the score within two points before the Mustangs went on to tie the game at 19. Neither team gained a comfortable lead as the game was once again tied at 21. The Gryphons came out on top with a final score of 25-22.

The Mustangs face the University of Waterloo at 8:00pm Saturday evening where they hope to earn their first win of the season.