Box Score LONDON, ON -- Not even a day after claiming victory against Lakehead, Western dominated them once again in another 3-0 win at Alumni Hall.
 
"Lakehead always plays stronger in day two," commented Western's head coach Melissa Bartlett after the game. "It forced us to make some adjustments and we did."
 
Western's middles Kelsey Veltman and Kristina Curcin played an incredibly orderly game, both hitting above a remarkable .600 in attack efficiency during the second set. Rheanna Geisel led the Thunderwolves with a notable 50 total attempts and 16 kills in the second set alone.
 
As Lakehead looked to redeem themselves, they claimed the first service possession and managed the first few points of the afternoon. Invigorated by their previous victory, the Mustangs quickly focused in as the score reached 5-3 in their favour. The two teams remained neck-and-neck for much of the first set; the Thunderwolves' gameplay had improved since yesterday and it showed. After a quick substitution by head-coach Melissa Bartlett, Western pulled away 16-12. With his players scrambling, Lakehead coach Craig Barclay quickly called his last timeout of the set in a last ditch effort to motivate them; the score stopped at 21-14. The Thunderwolves successfully began their comeback, but their efforts came too late. As two of Lakehead's women hit the floor, the Mustangs gained their final point of the set and ended things 25-20.
 
Again, Lakehead began the second set with promise, quickly earning a 5-0 lead against the Mustangs. After a timeout and a player substitution, Western's judgment seemed clouded; the score continued to grow in favour of the opposition to 10-0. Western's Kristina Curcin snagged the team's much-needed first point with an aggressive kill and the Mustangs began their redemption in what Coach Bartlett later referred to as "one of the biggest deficits we've ever overcome." Kelsey Veltman helped Western along with a number of spikes that Lakehead just couldn't return as the score sat at 11-6. Western's head coach quietly urged her team to stay focused as the gap continued to close to 14-13 for Lakehead. The Mustangs responded and quickly pulled into the lead for the first time this set 17-14. From this point, Mustang Carly Kimmett was able to pull off several aces in a row to help finish 25-19.
 
Motivated by their two previous set victories, Western quickly helped themselves to a 7-1 lead at the top of the third match. Visibly unhappy with the way things were going, Lakehead coach Craig Barclay called his first timeout, taking a minute to himself before speaking to his players. Whatever Barclay said seemed to energize his players and they were able to earn a number of points, but his team still fell short as the score sat at 14-7. Western's Melissa Langegger sustained the brunt of Lakehead's hits this set; in a marathon rally, she dug three attacks in a row and Western was eventually able to lock it down. With the score at 18-12, Western was working together flawlessly, mirroring Lakehead's every move. The Mustangs finished the game with a full 10 point lead at 25-15 and secured their second game in a row against Lakehead.
 
"Lakehead played a lot better today than they did yesterday, but we battled back and were able to come out with another three set win," Western's Melissa Langegger noted after the game.
 
The Mustangs have a short break before their next game against Windsor on February 8 at 6:00 PM.