February 22, 2013
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL FINAL FOUR: Western bests Waterloo to advance to final
The season series between the Western Mustangs and Waterloo Warriors was closely fought. But
in their OUA semifinal clash on Friday night, Western found a higher gear than their CIS-ranked
opponents and powered past Waterloo in four sets.
Set scores were 25-22, 20-25, 25-13 and 25-17 in favour of the Mustangs, who earned a berth in the
Set scores were 25-22, 20-25, 25-13 and 25-17 in favour of the Mustangs, who earned a berth in the
CIS Championship tournament with the win, along with a place in tomorrow's OUA final.
Recently named OUA Player of the Year, Garrett May led all scorers in the semifinal match with 22
Recently named OUA Player of the Year, Garrett May led all scorers in the semifinal match with 22
points – all of which were kills – on 42 hitting attempts with six errors (38.1%). Middle hitter Justin
Scapinello added 14 points and 9 kills in the win.
Waterloo was led by veteran middle Tyler Motherwell, who contributed 14.5 points and 10 kills en
Waterloo was led by veteran middle Tyler Motherwell, who contributed 14.5 points and 10 kills en
route to recognition as the Warriors' Player of the Game. OUA Libero of the Year Erich Woolley led
the match with 16 digs, putting his passing skills on display in a losing effort.
The first semifinal of the night began evenly, with the Warriors and Mustangs playing side-out
The first semifinal of the night began evenly, with the Warriors and Mustangs playing side-out
volleyball to open the first set. But the Mustangs moved into the lead as the set approached the
technical timeout, and when a spin serve went unreturned, Western entered the break with a 16-13
advantage.
Consecutive cross-court kills from OUA Player of the Year Garrett May extended that lead to five
Consecutive cross-court kills from OUA Player of the Year Garrett May extended that lead to five
points at 20-15, a deficit that proved too large for Waterloo to completely erase. Luke Sim showed
a sign of nerves, smashing a swing from the right well above the Warriors' block to bring Waterloo
within three points.
But after Zach Doherty's serve sailed long to bring up set point, Aleks Poldma repeated the trick to end
But after Zach Doherty's serve sailed long to bring up set point, Aleks Poldma repeated the trick to end
the first 25-22 in the Mustangs' favour.
Waterloo enjoyed a resurgent second set, powering into a 16-11 lead at the technical timeout when the opportunistic Jordan Dyck tipped the free ball to the floor. The Mustangs responded with a run to close the gap to two at 20-18, capped by another successful swing by May.
Fiodar Kazhamiaka tooled the block on the left side to force Western to call time at 23-20, and
Waterloo enjoyed a resurgent second set, powering into a 16-11 lead at the technical timeout when the opportunistic Jordan Dyck tipped the free ball to the floor. The Mustangs responded with a run to close the gap to two at 20-18, capped by another successful swing by May.
Fiodar Kazhamiaka tooled the block on the left side to force Western to call time at 23-20, and
Waterloo finished the set off just two points later when Kazhamiaka notched a solo block to level the
match.
The back-and-forth match took another decided turn to open the third, as Western raced ahead 9-5 with a double block to force a timeout from Waterloo. The break did little to stem the Mustangs' momentum, as Western won seven of the next nine points to take a 16-7 lead into the third set technical, after Luke Sims tooled the block on the right side and found the floor.
The Mustangs coasted to the finish line in the third, riding their substantial lead to an easy victory. May
The back-and-forth match took another decided turn to open the third, as Western raced ahead 9-5 with a double block to force a timeout from Waterloo. The break did little to stem the Mustangs' momentum, as Western won seven of the next nine points to take a 16-7 lead into the third set technical, after Luke Sims tooled the block on the right side and found the floor.
The Mustangs coasted to the finish line in the third, riding their substantial lead to an easy victory. May
struck again to set up set point with a thunderous cut-shot from the left, before winning the joust on the
very next point for the 25-13 win.
One set from the OUA title game, Western turned to its star to put the match away. May scored four of
One set from the OUA title game, Western turned to its star to put the match away. May scored four of
the Mustangs' first seven points as they moved into a commanding early lead. Western seemed poised to run away with the fourth set, and enjoyed a 16-9 advantage at the technical timeout.
Waterloo fought back immediately, with Zach Doherty dictating play from the service line, and
Waterloo fought back immediately, with Zach Doherty dictating play from the service line, and
stormed back to within four points at 18-14 before Western called timeout.
The scare proved to be momentary, as the Mustangs exited the break in fine form. They moved to
The scare proved to be momentary, as the Mustangs exited the break in fine form. They moved to
match point when a Waterloo attack fell just wide of the left sideline, and completed the victory when
