Men’s Volleyball splits the final weekend of the season with Guelph

Guelph, ON – As both sides eyed a spot in the 2025 OUA playoffs, the Mustangs and Gryphons went the distance on both nights, splitting the pair of matches.

The weekend started with the Gryphons taking the opening match but the Mustangs followed that up with a five set win of their own on Saturday night.

GAME RECAP – Friday, February 14

The Mustangs started off strong with a lead of 6-3 to begin the game. After a couple of errors from Western, the Gryphons got a few points leaving the score at 10-6. The Mustangs keep a good distance from the Gryphons with the score at 14-8. Guelph then asked for a timeout with Western ahead 16-8. The Gryphons managed to tighten the score at 18-15, resulting in Western calling a timeout. After some mistakes from Guelph the Mustangs were ahead 22-17, making the Gryphons call another timeout. The Mustangs took the first set with a score of 25-20. 

The second set began much tighter for the teams with a tie score of 6-6. The set continued with the teams right behind one another at 15-14 Guelph. Western then called a timeout at 17-14. The set wasn’t looking too well for the Mustangs with the Gryphons in the lead at 20- 15. Western then called another timeout at 23-19. The set ended off with a win for the Gryphons at 25-20. 

The third set had a similar beginning to the last with a score of 4-4. The Mustangs brought in a few points leaving the score at 9-7 Guelph. Western caught up to the Gryphons tying the score again at 9-9. As the set went on, Guelph benefitted from the Mustangs errors bringing the score to 16-12, resulting in the Mustangs calling a timeout. The set wasn’t looking too great for the Mustangs with the Gryphons ahead 5 points at 19-14. As Western caught up to the Gryphons, Guelph called a timeout at 21-18. The Mustangs managed to tie the score at 23-23 making the Gryphons call another timeout. Guelph ended off taking the set with a score of 25-23. 

The fourth set was good for the Mustangs with the score at 7-3. The Gryphons then caught up to Western with the score at 10-9. The score was then tied between the teams at 12 all. The Gryphons then took the leverage 16-15. The Mustangs then got ahead of Guelph at 21- 19, causing the Gryphons to call a timeout. Guelph asked for another timeout at 23-20. Western took the win after a hard fought set at 25-20. 

The fifth set started off strong for the Mustangs with a couple of kills. The score was close between the teams with Western down one point at 4-3. With the Gryphons in the lead at 6- 3, the Mustangs called a timeout. Western then asked for their last timeout at 10-7. Guelph took the win at 15- 11, winning the game 3-2. 

KEY STATS

Cade Smith – 12 kills, 5 digs, 3 blocks 

Cameron McGregor – 10 kills, 9 digs 

GAME RECAP – Saturday, February 15

The night didn’t start off too well for the Mustangs with Guelph in the lead 11-5. Western then gathered a couple of points from kills bringing the score to 14-11, which made the Gryphons call a timeout. After a few errors from the Mustangs, Guelph furthered the gap to 18-13. Western was able to earn a couple more points at 21-20, causing the Gryphons to call another timeout. The Mustangs asked for their first timeout at 23-21. The set ended with Guelph taking the win at 25-23. 

The second set began with a more promising look for the Mustangs with their score of 5-0, making Guelph call a timeout immediately. The set continued with a tight score of 9-8 Western, with both teams behind one another. The Mustangs stayed in the lead at 15-11 after 4 consecutive kills. Guelph called another timeout at 17-11. Western pulled through with a set win at 25-17, making it a 1-1 game. 

The third set was rockier for the Mustangs with the Gryphons up 6-2 after 4 kills in a row. Western then asked for a timeout to recover from a few errors at 8-3. Guelph persistently maintained a good distance with a score of 13-6. The Mustangs gained a few points from Guelphs mistakes which brought them up to 18-14. These errors from the Gryphons caused the mustangs to catch up 19-17, resulting in a timeout Guelph. The teams ended up tying at 21-21. At 24-23, Western called a timeout. The Gryphons then took another timeout at 25-24 Western. The Mustangs won this set with determination at 26-24 bringing them up 2-1. 

The fourth set had a tighter start with Western behind Guelph at 7-5. The Gryphons kept a steady 2 point lead at 14-12. Western then gains the leverage from a kill at 17-16. The score went back and forth between the teams, but then they tied at 20-20. The Mustangs called a timeout at 22-21 to recollect and then called another one at 23-21. Similarly, Guelph asked for a timeout at 24-22 after a block error. The set ended with a service error from Western, giving Guelph the win at 25-22, extending the match. 

The fifth set was a more difficult beginning for the Mustangs with the Gryphons ahead 4-1, making them call a timeout. The set continued with the teams right behind one another at 7-6 Guelph. After a kill from Western the score tied 7-7. Guelph then took the lead 10-7 after 3 back-to-back kills, resulting in a timeout Western. At 12-11 Western the Gryphons also called a timeout and then another at 14-13. The Mustangs finished off the game with 2 kills at 19-17, ending off the season with a win. 

KEY STATS

Cade Smith – 26 kills, 13 digs, 3 blocks 

Jonah Millard – 10 kills, 2 digs, 4 blocks 

NEXT GAME

The Mustangs finish the 2024-25 10&10 and in 6th position in the standings. Western will be on the road to start the post season, Friday night at 7pm. Stay tuned to WesternMustangs.ca for details. Be sure to catch the action live on OUA.tv.