Kingston, ON – After taking down Toronto in the opening round of the 2025 OUA playoffs, the Mustangs were in a fight all night long against the #2 ranked Queen’s Gaels of Friday night.
In hostile territory, on the road in Kingston, the Mustangs definitely showed their grit by pushing one of the top teams in the country to a full five sets.
GAME RECAP
The game had a strong but good start for the Mustangs with them in the lead 7-3 after a few kills. Western kept their momentum going with a 6-point leverage at 11-5 which caused Queens to then call a timeout. The Gaels gained a couple of points due to errors from the Mustangs at 12-8. Queens continued to catch up, tightening the gap to 2 points at 13-11 after some kills. The teams tied at 14-14, resulting in a timeout from Western. The Mustangs kept the Gales on their toes and ended up tying the score again at 20-20. At 22-21 Western called a timeout. Queens ended the opening set with a win 25-23.
The second set emerged with a more even start between the teams until the Mustangs got ahead at 8-5 from some kills. Western stayed up front at 13-8 due to 4 back-to-back kills which lead the Gaels into a timeout. Queens then snuck in a few kills bringing them up a couple points at 16-11 which resulted in a timeout from the Mustangs. With Western ahead 21-13, the Gaels called another timeout to regroup. As the end of the set came near, the Mustangs made a few errors which caused the Gales to catch up 23-18, this led to another timeout Western. The Mustangs fought back and ended the set at 25-22 making it a 1-1 game.
The third set also began quite nicely for the Mustangs with their advantage 7-4. Western seemed to push harder toward the beginning of sets to try and stay ahead this set however, the Gaels then caught up tying the score at 9-9. As Queens took the leverage at 14-10, the Mustangs called a timeout to regroup from their mistakes. The Gaels kept their momentum going and after 2 service aces the Mustangs called another timeout 18-12. Queens took another set this time with a bigger gap at 25-15, making it 2-1.
The fourth set started off with the teams right behind each other with Queens ahead 5-4. The score then tied at 7-7 with Western benefitting from the Gaels errors. The Mustangs then pulled through with 3 kills in a row at 12-9 making Queens call a timeout. The set continued with a close score at 16-15 Western. The teams went back and forth with kills and service errors. At 22-22 the teams tied making it a really close set. With a score of 24-23 the Mustangs called a timeout. Then at 25-24 the Gaels also asked for a timeout. Western finally finished off the set at 27-25, extending the game.
The fifth set commenced with a 3-2 lead from the Gales after a service error. After a few errors from the Mustangs, Queens was ahead 5-3 making Western call a timeout. The
Gaels kept the advantage at 8-6 as they switched sides. Queens then played out 3 consecutive kills bringing them up 10-7 resulting in another timeout Western. The Queens Gales ended up winning the semi-finals game with a score of 15-10, advancing them to the finals.
The Mustangs will still play next weekend hoping to win the bronze medal this playoff season as they take on York. Stay tuned for game details.
KEY STATS
Cade Smith – 16 kills, 1 service ace, 1 block
Oliver Toomes –18 kills, 1 service ace, 8 digs