Mustangs split opening weekend against Guelph

Box Score 1 London, ON – The Mustangs Women’s Volleyball got early leads on both nights of their opening weekend of the 2025 season against Guelph, splitting the weekend series.
 
GAME RECAPS

Friday, October 24

After a long summer, the Mustangs are up and ready for their home opener tonight against Guelph.
 
The game had a strong start for the teams with a tie score of 8-8. The Mustangs had to push themselves a little more to even out the score in the beginning. Guelph was using some smart plays, so the Mustangs backfired with the same techniques. With a couple of attack errors from the Mustangs and a kill by the Gryphons, Western called a timeout at 16-13. The Mustangs were able to come back and tie at 17 all. Guelph then asked for a timeout after the Mustangs got 2 kills, overtaking them at 20-19. With the teams right behind one another, the energy was quite tense at 23-22 with the Mustangs in the lead. This caused the Gryphons to call another timeout. Western won the set with a block at 25-23.

The second set began well for the Mustangs with a 5-1 lead, making the Gryphon’s call a timeout right away. As the set continued, Guelph began catching up to the Mustangs, making use of their mistakes at 13-13. This set was closer for the teams, with them right behind one another at 17-16. Western then called a timeout at 21-19 to close the gap. Guelph then asked for a timeout once the Mustangs got ahead at 22-21 after a service ace. The Mustangs called a timeout at 24-23. The Gryphons won the set 25-23 after an attack error.

The third set was a good beginning for the Mustangs with a score of 7-4 and a timeout from the Gryphons. The game continued tight with the teams playing their hardest. The score was 13-12 for the Gryphons. At 17-16, Guelph called a timeout after a crazy block by the Mustangs. The teams were still tied at 19-19. The Mustangs then asked for a timeout at 24-23 to try and get the win. It was a super close score this entire set. The Gryphons ended up winning another set at 25-23, making it a 2-1 game.

The fourth set had a similar start to the previous one for the Mustangs with a 5-1 lead to open. Guelph called a timeout at 9-5 in efforts to work on their errors. The Gryphons were able to make up for their mistakes by tying the score at 9-9. With the teams putting in their best, the tension was super high at this point at 19-19. The Mustangs called for a timeout at
22-21. Western called another timeout at 23-21. The Gryphons won the game after a long fight at 25-23 to make it a 3-1 win.

“We weren’t really confident in our service line, which really would’ve helped parts of the game fall into place.” said Head Coach Melissa Bartlett

Key Stats:
Kills – Emma Buntic (18), Lael Harrison (8), Nyla Tukker (7)
Aces – Emma Buntic (5), Lael Harrison (2), Ava Ebert (2)
 

 Saturday, October 25

 After a tough loss last night, the Mustangs are back on the court ready to compete against the Guelph Gryphons.

It was a great start to the night with the Mustangs up 11-8 after a few serve runs. The Gryphons ended up asking for a timeout. Western maintained their advantage using strategic plays to keep the gap at 18-12. Guelph called another timeout. The Mustangs were on a roll with many hard kills and service aces tonight. At this point, the score was 21-15 with Western up by 6. The Gryphons were able to lessen the gap with a couple of difficult serves, resulting in a timeout by the Mustangs at 21-17. Western ended the first set with a nasty setter dump at 25-17.
 
The second set was a slower start for the Mustangs with Guelph up 7-3. Western called a timeout. As the Gryphons kept the lead, the Mustangs asked for another timeout to regroup at 14-8. Guelph was on fire this set with an 18-10 advantage; they played Western back with the same energy. The Gryphon’s won the set at 25-18, making it a 1-1 game.
 
The third set was a close beginning for the teams with a tight score of 6-5 for Guelph. The teams were right behind one another, gaining back each point at 12-11. After a few service aces by the Gryphons, they were able to get the leverage at 15-13. Western also called a timeout to keep the close score. The Mustangs were able to keep tighten the gap with some sick kills at 18-17. This seems to fuel the fire for the Gryphons with them on a kill streak at 20-17. The tension was getting thick as the Mustangs caught up and tied the score at 22-22, resulting in a timeout from the Gryphons. The Mustangs gained 2 points from crazy kills, making Guelph take another timeout at 24-22. Western ended the set at 25-22, now making it a 2-1 game for the Mustangs.
 
The fourth was slower for the Mustangs, with them behind at 8-4. This resulted in a timeout from Western. This set was filled with rallies and lots of tension arising from both teams. The Mustangs were putting their all into catching up at 13-12. Western was able to come back and gain the lead at 17-16, causing the Gryphons to call a timeout. With a score of 20-19 the tension was heavy in this set. The Mustangs were determined to win. With Guelph ahead 22-21, the Mustangs asked for a timeout. The Gryphons also called a timeout at 23-22 with Western up now. The Mustangs ended up winning the set after a super long rally with a score of 26-24, in 3 against Guelph.

“Today was a win, not only on the scoreboard but also because we were able to make key adjustments from yesterday,” said Bartlett
 
Key Stats:
Kills: Emma Buntic (13), Nyla Tukker (12). Ava Ebert (7)
Aces: Thea Ishida (3), Ava Ebert (2), Emma Buntic (2)

Next Game:
The Mustangs are on the road next weekend to take on the Brock Badgers. The first game is set for Friday, October 20, at 6:00 PM. Fans can watch the action on OUA.tv.