The sixth-seeded Windsor Lancer women's volleyball team secured a thrilling 3-2 (22-25, 24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 15-11) victory over the third-seed Western Mustangs in the OUA quarter-finals on Friday night in London.
 
The win is the Lancers first quarter-final victory since the 2005-06 season when the Lancers went on to claim the OUA championship.
 
STATS
Aliah Admans dominated the court, leading all players with 25 kills, 4 solo blocks, 21 digs and 29.5 points.
 
Danika Schraff also had 21 digs and a game high 47 assists. Abby Scott contributed 15 digs, while Sam Loshusan has 12 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game started with a few errors on both sides with a score of 6-4 Western. The Lancers then caught up with the Mustangs tying the score at 8-8. After 3 kills in a row, the Mustangs were in the lead 14-9 making Windsor ask for a timeout. The Lancers gained a couple points from a few kills leaving the score at 17-15. The 2-point lead continued from the Mustangs with the score at 21-19. One point later the Lancers called a timeout 23-19. Windsor then caught up 24-22, resulting in the Mustangs calling a timeout. Western then finished off the set with a score of 25-22. 
 
The second set began with an even score between the teams at 5-5. The teams continued to fight and kept the tie at 10-10. The Mustangs took the lead by one point at 15-14, which resulted in a timeout Windsor. The Lancers then measure up to the Mustangs after a long rally at 17-17. Windsor then got ahead at 22-21, making the Mustangs call a timeout. The Mustangs had a tough time defending all the good spots the Lancers placed the ball this set. After a service error from Western, Windsor was at game point which made the Mustangs call another timeout. At 25-24 Western, the Lancers asked for a timeout as well. The Mustangs pushed to the end with another set win at 26-24. 
 
The third set launched off with an advantage from the Lancers 6-2 resulting in a timeout from Western. Windsor tried a new strategy by hitting more and placing the ball which really kept Western on their toes this set. As the play continued the Lancers kept the leverage at 15-9, which made Western call another timeout. At 21-13, Windsor is up 9 points. The set ended with a win for the Lancers at 25-16. 
 
The fourth set started off the same as the last with the Lancers up 6-2, following a timeout from Western. Windsor was then up 13-5, mainly benefiting from the Mustangs errors, resulting in another timeout Western. Just when we thought the Mustangs were catching up, the Lancers came in with a few kills with a score of 20-10. Western gained a couple points bringing them up to 23-15. The Lancers then took another set at 25-16, extending the game. 
 
The fifth set emerged to a difficult start for the Mustangs with the Lancers ahead 4-1, resulting in a timeout Western. After 2 kills the Mustangs caught up to Windsor tying the score at 5-5. Windsor then took the lead again at 9-6. The Mustangs made a couple of errors bringing the Lancers up 11-8 following a timeout from Western. The Mustangs then gained 4 points that brought them up 14-11. Windsor took the win with a comeback this game ending the set at 15-11, advancing them to the semi-finals. 
 
UP NEXT
This win advances the blue and gold to the OUA semi-finals against the Brock Badgers on Friday, February 28th in St. Catharine's. Stay tuned to goLancers.ca for more details on the game as it becomes available.