February 25, 2011
M-Volleyball Championship - Western tops Guelph for championship berth
LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs defeated the Guelph Gryphons Friday night in four sets to advance to the OUA Championship.
Set scores were 25-15, 28-26, 21-25 and 25-15.
Western came out strong in the first set leading by five at the first technical timeout. By the second technical, Western was in the lead 16-6 and easily took the set 25-14. First team all-star Mathieu Poulin (Winnipeg, Man.) and Reid Halpenny (Exeter, Ont.) each had four kills. Guelph’s James Stamler led the Gryphons with five kills in the first set.
In a very evenly matched second set, Western battled hard taking the set 28-26. Guelph looked solid both offensively and defensively though and it was neck and neck for the last seven points. Poulin added another seven kills to Western’s total of 13. Guelph all-star Winston Rosser had two kills for the Gryphons.
There was a changing of the tide in the third set and the Guelph Gryphons came out on top 25-21. They had a one-point lead at the first technical timeout, but increased it by three to a score of 16-13 at the second technical. A key solo block from Phil James (Ottawa, Ont.) kept Western in the set, but it wasn’t enough and Guelph took the third set. Poulin added another five kills to Western’s total of 32 attacks in the set.
The Mustangs took an early lead in the fourth set and increased it to seven at the second technical. Outstanding offense from Garrett May (Scarborough, Ont.) and James, combined with serving from Sean McKay (Sudbury, Ont.) sealed the deal in the fourth set with a score of 25-15.
Players of the game were Halpenny for the Mustangs and Rosser for the Gryphons.
The Western Mustangs will play the McMaster Marauders in the OUA Championship Sat. Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Alumni Hall. Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $8 for adults and $5 for students and youth.
