LONDON, Ont. – Making a statement in their first game of 2016, the Mustangs made it clear to everyone at Alumni Hall that they had no plans of slowing down in the New Year after defeating Waterloo in just three sets (25-21, 25-18, 25-21).
 
"We've had a few good weeks of training," said interim head coach Heather Brinkman. "It gave us some flow and rhythm getting into this match."
 
Leading the Mustangs to success were Aja Gyimah and Kesley Veltman. The duo posted 15 and 13 points respectively and were integral in shutting down Waterloo's heavy hitters with equally as powerful blocks. On the Warrior side of the scoresheet, Alyson Colpitts and Sammie Gwozdz split the top spot with eight points each.
 
The Mustangs got out to a great start, allowing only a few errant points to disrupt the purple and white system. However, they then began to ease off the gas and allowed their opponents to edge ahead at 9-7.
 
The deficit quickly eroded when Veltman took over at the service line. It was the versatility of the 6-2 Brampton native that pushed the Mustangs into the lead as she challenged her opponents with a speedy spin serve as well one that dipped suddenly over the net.
 
Moving into the front court Veltman continued to dominate the floor, sending out unreturned attacks and closing out the set on a block shared with Serena Smith to bring the score to 25-21.
 
"She's always a good motivator, and always puts the ball away" said starting setter Katherine Tsiofas about Veltman. "I love having her on the court."
 
Moving into the second set Western's power continued to be concentrated in the middle, with Danielle Grasman also finding holes in the Warrior court while Veltman sent out killer serves throughout the set.
 
The Warriors best found success with attacks sent from the outside where Claire Mackenzie was their greatest asset with three kills. Although not even the Vancouver native could find consistent ways around Veltman and Gyimah who continued to consistently shut down the Waterloo attack with strong blocks.
 
The Mustangs sent out increasingly powerful attacks as they rounded the 20-point mark with an eight-point cushion, with more balls received by Waterloo with shoulders than forearms.
 
Quickly moving through the final points of the set, Western marked down a second victory at 25-18.
 
Back on the floor for what would be the final set of the match both teams came out swinging from the first serve. Tighter coverage on both sides kept rallies lasting longer and the point difference smaller.
 
Matching the purple and white score at 14-14, Waterloo's Colpitts was leading the effort at the net to push the game into additional sets. Finding ways around and through the Mustang block Colpitts had near sole responsibility for the comeback.
 
Trading points until the score was even at twenties, the Mustangs eventually pulled ahead to take the final set at 25-21.  
 
The Mustangs return to the floor next weekend when they hit the road and take to Thunder Bay for two matchups against the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
 
"They've taken a few sets off a couple of good teams so we really can't underestimate them," noted Tsiofas. "Going up to Lakehead and playing games back to back is difficult, they always get a big crowd and a lot of fans. We'll definitely have to focus on them this week."