February 14, 2009
MUSTANGS ADVANCE TO OUA WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
LONDON, Ont. - With an outstanding team performance, the Western Mustangs defeated the Brock Badgers 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-17) in the OUA quarter-finals at Alumni Hall, Feb. 13.
The first set could have gone either way as both teams scrambled around the court. The Mustangs showed great communication, but Brock was too strong early on as Western trailed 16-7.
However, the Badgers proved to be the better team in the first set as Alexandra McKee (Whitby, Ont.) for Brock tipped the ball over the net giving them the win, 25-19.
After a loss in the first set, the Mustangs regrouped and had an all-round better performance the rest of the night with every player contributing.
Elaine Screaton (Calgary, Alta.) was relentless on the night with 12 points, 11 kills and 19 digs.
Midway through the second set, Sarah Johnston (Stratford, Ont.) gained momentum with a kill.
Afterwards, Sara Farrell (London, Ont.) served an ace giving Western the lead, 16-13. Farrell went on to serve for two more consecutive points and finished the night with 12 points, 10 kills, three digs and one block. The Mustangs won the set 25-20.
With the match all tied up, the Mustangs played with more confidence.
Melissa Mann (London, Ont.) showed true leadership looking stronger and stronger as the match went on. Mann finished the night with 13 points, 12 kills and six digs.
Veteran Andrea Ruste (Edmonton, Alta.) demonstrated why she is one of the top liberos in the nation, earning an impressive 35 digs on the night. Ruste was a force for the Mustangs, diving for every ball that went her way.
The Mustangs continued their efficient attack through the third set, jumping out to a 10-6 lead behind the play of Nicole Smyrnios (London, Ont.).
Screaton sealed the set for the Mustangs with one of her 11 kills on the night to give the Mustangs a win, 25-14.
Western took advantage in the fourth set with a kill by Mann, giving Western an early 10-3 lead.
Smyrnios was instrumental on defensive with four blocks, just one block shy of teammate Johnston. Smyrnios had a skillful game as she added 11 points, 13 digs and five kills, while Johnston had 14 points, nine kills and five digs.
Communication and multiple errors hampered Brock throughout the fourth set. Western capitalized on the errors as they took a demanding 14-5 lead.
Western remained poised and in control as Brock attempted to battle back into the game.
On game point, Smyrnios set-up Sarah Lowry (Calgary, Alta.) for the kill to win the set and the game for the Mustangs, 25-17. Lowry also had a standout game with 12 points, 12 kills and nine digs.
With the win, the Mustangs will move on to the OUA Women's Final Four Volleyball Championship from Feb. 20 to 21.
Source: Mustangs Athletics
Photo Credit: Craig Glover
The first set could have gone either way as both teams scrambled around the court. The Mustangs showed great communication, but Brock was too strong early on as Western trailed 16-7.
However, the Badgers proved to be the better team in the first set as Alexandra McKee (Whitby, Ont.) for Brock tipped the ball over the net giving them the win, 25-19.
After a loss in the first set, the Mustangs regrouped and had an all-round better performance the rest of the night with every player contributing.
Elaine Screaton (Calgary, Alta.) was relentless on the night with 12 points, 11 kills and 19 digs.
Midway through the second set, Sarah Johnston (Stratford, Ont.) gained momentum with a kill.
Afterwards, Sara Farrell (London, Ont.) served an ace giving Western the lead, 16-13. Farrell went on to serve for two more consecutive points and finished the night with 12 points, 10 kills, three digs and one block. The Mustangs won the set 25-20.
With the match all tied up, the Mustangs played with more confidence.
Melissa Mann (London, Ont.) showed true leadership looking stronger and stronger as the match went on. Mann finished the night with 13 points, 12 kills and six digs.
Veteran Andrea Ruste (Edmonton, Alta.) demonstrated why she is one of the top liberos in the nation, earning an impressive 35 digs on the night. Ruste was a force for the Mustangs, diving for every ball that went her way.
The Mustangs continued their efficient attack through the third set, jumping out to a 10-6 lead behind the play of Nicole Smyrnios (London, Ont.).
Screaton sealed the set for the Mustangs with one of her 11 kills on the night to give the Mustangs a win, 25-14.
Western took advantage in the fourth set with a kill by Mann, giving Western an early 10-3 lead.
Smyrnios was instrumental on defensive with four blocks, just one block shy of teammate Johnston. Smyrnios had a skillful game as she added 11 points, 13 digs and five kills, while Johnston had 14 points, nine kills and five digs.
Communication and multiple errors hampered Brock throughout the fourth set. Western capitalized on the errors as they took a demanding 14-5 lead.
Western remained poised and in control as Brock attempted to battle back into the game.
On game point, Smyrnios set-up Sarah Lowry (Calgary, Alta.) for the kill to win the set and the game for the Mustangs, 25-17. Lowry also had a standout game with 12 points, 12 kills and nine digs.
With the win, the Mustangs will move on to the OUA Women's Final Four Volleyball Championship from Feb. 20 to 21.
Source: Mustangs Athletics
Photo Credit: Craig Glover
