London, ON – The Mustangs played host to TMU Saturday night to close out their opening weekend series, securing their second straight victory in straight sets.
 
Coming off a strong opening season performance, Western came out firing, quite literally, as during lineup introductions players worked the crowd by throwing volleyball stress balls into the stands. The excitement only continued to build, as the Mustangs convincingly took this one in three with 25-16, 25-15 and 25-18 set wins.
 
Blake Fenwick led the Mustangs with 11 kills and 4 blocks, with Jason Guy registering 7 kills and an ace. Jonah Millard had 4 kills on the night alongside 5 blocks and 2 service aces.
 
"I think everyone's heart and playing as a team [is what stood out]," said Jonah Millard. "Lifting each other up, coming into each set where if a guy makes a mistake you are there to pick him up, and if a guy gets a great point we hype him up, so just playing as a team and staying together. We said every point is a battle and just fought for that."
 
Jason Guy kicked things off with an ace for the 'Stangs, while Blake Fenwick followed it up with one of his own moments later for a 3-1 lead as Western looked to continue where they left off from the previous night.
 
With Josh Thorson at the service line, the purple and white put up four consecutive points for a 11-5 lead, causing the visitors in blue to take a timeout. This wouldn't change the swing of momentum however, as the Mustangs would double up on their opponent yet again at 14-7.
 
The Bold went on a mini heater of their own, earning five of six points to put pressure on the hosts and stay in the set at 19-15.
 
The purple and white continued to roll however, as an ace by Nicolas Folz alongside a big block by Fenwick and Millard made the set all but official at 23-15. Western ended up taking the set 25-16.
 
"We are starting to really block," said head coach Jim Sage. "We work a lot on that in practice. It's probably the most difficult volleyball skill with the timing and what it takes to make the right decision, and we are starting to do that. And if we are not blocking it, we are digging it and winning those points."
 
Western quickly found themselves ahead again in the second set, this time at 9-5, which they continued to extend.
 
A Fenwick kill made it 15-9 for Western, whereas two kills by Guy helped them go up by seven at 18-11.
 
Four points away from securing the second set, Fenwick put up another big kill for the 'Stangs, while a Bold error and long rally finished off by Folz sent set-point the way of the homeside.
 
The second set went the way of the Mustangs at 25-15.
 
It was the visitors who got on the board first in the third, as they looked to win their first set of the weekend.
 
With Millard serving, Western got ahead at 5-2 featuring an ace from the server himself. Another strong service game from Josiah Esau saw the 'Stangs register three consecutive points, one from Guy and two from visitor errors. A kill from Guy at 11-5 forced a TMU timeout.
 
An electrifying kill from Fenwick put Western ahead by double at 12-6, with the home crowd showcasing their support through echoing claps.
 
While the visitors tried to push back, it just wouldn't be enough as Western convincingly closed out the third 25-18, largely credited to their team philosophy.
 
"We met before today's game and said that while yesterday we had a big success, it doesn't matter," said Millard. "The game is brand new and we took that philosophy into each set, so that even after winning the first set it doesn't matter, it's a brand new one at 0-0. I think we are building off of our past success but not letting it get to our egos and keep pushing."
 
Alongside this philosophy is a sense of belief, which is just as important in success and something not as commonly found in past seasons.
 
"We talked a lot before the game about how they are going to come out. And my guys were really ready for it," said Sage. "We used to talk that we could do it, and it would never happen. But now they are saying they are going to do it, believing they are going to do it, and they are doing it. That's a big step for us." 
 
The win means Western opens up their season having yet to drop a set, earning a 2-0 record in the process.
 
"It's huge. So important," said Sage on opening the season with two wins. "You look at the schedule and it's so important to take care of business in your own gym right off the bat."
 
And while starting the season undefeated is a great achievement, it's only the first step in a long season, as their next opponent waits ahead.
 
"We are going into a big game next Friday and we want to bring the confidence with us but not let it get to our heads. We worked hard, two three set wins back-to-back but it's a big week ahead and we can't let it get to our heads." 
 
"One step at a time. We'll have a good week of practice and prepare, and then let it roll. It's a fun match because [of McMaster's high national ranking], so my guys can't wait to play them."
 
The Mustangs return to action Friday, November 11^th, at 8pm at Alumni Hall where they will take on McMaster. Tickets can be purchased at westernmustangs.ca