NORTH BAY, ON - The Mustangs won a wild 5-set battle, taking down Nipissing 3–2 in epic fashion. Western kept fighting every point and finished the match with pure energy.
Friday, November 28
GAME RECAP
The Mustangs started the first set really strong and jumped ahead early, but the Lakers slowly fought back and took the lead in the middle of the set. Western kept pushing and made a late run, getting the score as close as 23–24, but a mistake on the final rally gave the last point to Nipissing. Even though the Mustangs lost 25–23, they showed a lot of energy and stayed close right to the end.
The second set had a back-and-forth start with both teams trading points early. After 7–7, the Lakers went on a run and built a gap with strong serving and blocks, forcing the Mustangs to play from behind. Western tried to climb back with a late push, getting the score to 21–24, but Nipissing finished the last rally to take the set 25–21. Even though the Mustangs lost, they were beginning to gain momentum.
Western came out strong in the third set, taking an early lead with solid kills and big blocks that put the Lakers on their heels. Nipissing tried to close the gap by gaining on a few Western errors, but the Mustangs answered quickly with another strong run. The Lakers pushed late and made it tight, but Western stayed calm and finished the important rallies instead of giving up free points. A final nice hit sealed the set 25–22 and gave Western the boost they needed.
The Mustangs kept their momentum in the fourth, attacking with confidence and controlling the net from the start. Nipissing kept it close and had a couple of mini-runs, but every time they got within one or two points, Western responded with a block or a big hit to stop it. The rallies were long and tiring, but Western's ball control was better and made the difference. They stayed steady all the way through and closed out the set 25–21 to force a fifth.
The final set was close from start to finish, with both teams trading points and neither pulling ahead. Western earned big points with strong hits, while Nipissing stayed alive with tough blocking. Once the score got tight in the teens, every rally mattered and both sides were fighting for any leverage. Western stayed calm, made the key plays at the net when it mattered most, and finished the set 21–19 to complete the comeback and win the match 3–2.
KEY STATS
Kills – Cade Smith (23), Kendall Homenick (10), Jayden Talsma (10)
Blocks – Cade Smith (7), Nicolas Silon (6), Kendall Homenick (6)
Digs – Cameron McGregor (13), Andrew Kerkhoff (13), Michael Jones (11)
Saturday, November 29
GAME RECAP
Western started slow while Nipissing jumped ahead early with strong swings and blocks. Western fought back with a run of aces and kills to tie it 7–7, but Nipissing answered with another big push. Western tried to stay close with a few late kills, but errors kept getting in the way. Western grabbed a couple of points near the end, but Nipissing closed it out 25–18.
Western turned it around fast in the second set, taking control with steady attacking and smart blocking. A long scoring streak in the middle built a big lead that Nipissing couldn't recover from. Even when the Lakers made a late push, Western didn't panic and kept earning points on tough swings. Western sealed the set 25–20 to make it a 1-1 game.
The third set was tight from start to finish, with both teams trading points on long rallies. Western pulled ahead late thanks to clutch kills and an ace to go up 24–22. Nipissing saved one point, but Western hammered down the final swing to take it 25–23. It was Western's most intense set with all momentum and grit.
Nipissing punched back right away in the fourth set, taking advantage of Western errors and building a lead early. Western tried to respond with a couple of strong runs, but every time they got close, Nipissing answered with another big point. A late push brought Western within striking distance, but Nipissing kept control at the finish. The Lakers took the set 25–22 and forced a fifth.
The final set stayed neck to neck with neither team giving ground. Western tied it 8–8 after a big defensive play, but Nipissing stole the momentum with a run of kills right after. Western fought hard to stay close, bringing it to 12–13, but two final points went to Nipissing on tough hits. Nipissing took the set 15–12 and the match 3–2.
KEY STATS
Kills – Cade Smith (17), Jayden Talsma (16), Nicolas Silon (10)
Blocks – Wasil Magdi (3), Michael Jones (2)
Digs – Andrew Kerkhoff (15), Michael Jones (10), Oliver Toomes (9)
NEXT GAME
The next time the Mustangs play is in the new years at TMU Bold. Join the live Stream on OUA.tv for an 8:00pm start time. For now, we wish you a happy holidays!
