It took the first set for the Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball team to get their game to where they wanted it to kick off the season, but they turned things up in a hurry.

After losing 25-19 to open up the season to the always tough Western Mustangs, the Lakers responded with a really strong second set, winning 25-23 to even the match up.

In the third, riding the momentum of the second set victory, the Lakers were in control and came away with another victory, this time 25-15 to put the Mustangs on their heels.

The veteran Mustangs team refused to quit, however, as they stormed back with a strong effort of their own to tie the match at two and send the season opener to a fifth and deciding set.

The Mustangs took the fourth set 25-15 to extend things and force the final set.

The teams went back and forth, with the Lakers actually holding a lead of 8-7, but from there, the Mustangs took off.

They scored seven of the next 10 points and grabbed a commanding 14-10 lead.

And what pretty much summarized the entire game, the Lakers fought back to close the gap to 14-12, but that was as close as Nipissing would get, as they would come up just short.

Cameron Branch led the Nipissing attack with 15 kills and 19 points, while Andy McWiggan had eight kills and 10.

Both Jack Peckham and Lyndon Sonego also made impacts, with Peckham tallying 12 points thanks to a big blocking effort and Sonego chipped in with 10 points.

The Lakers are back in action Saturday afternoon when they look to bounce back and even their record.

They hit the court at 3 p.m. to face the Windsor Lancers.