MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: LAKERS COME UP SHORT FRIDAY AGAINST WESTERN

The Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team was looking to follow up a very strong weekend against York with another solid effort at home.

The Lakers hosted the Western Mustangs in the first of two matches this weekend, as both teams were coming off wins in their previous outing.

Nipissing couldn’t overcome an early deficit and dropped the match 3-1 to the Mustangs.

Western jumped out to an early lead and a strong start in the opening set.

The Lakers fought back after being down 19-16, closing the gap, but eventually fell 25-23 in the first game.

The second set was quite similar to the first, where the Mustangs stayed out in front for the majority of the time, eventually powering their way to a 25-20 win, putting them up 2-0.

Nipissing refused to go away without a fight, coming up big in the third set and staving off a sweep, winning in convincing fashion, 25-15.

An early lead was all the Lakers needed to extend the match.

Unfortunately, the Lakers were unable to muster up another win, dropping the fourth and the match.

Nipissing trailed early and fought back late, but came up just short of forcing a fifth set, falling 25-17.

Taydon Shantz led the way with 12 kills for the Lakers, while Justice Smith added 12 points.

The Lakers and Mustangs wrap up the weekend Saturday afternoon when they hit the court at 4pm.