With a playoff spot locked up, the Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball team was able to rest some regular and give playing time to their depth players.

While it didn't work out in terms of a win, as they came up short, losing 3-1 to the Western Mustangs, it did show that they're a very deep team and one to be feared when it comes playoff time.

The Lakers grabbed the opening set 25-22, before losing three straight sets 25-14, 25-21 and 25-22.

The loss keeps the Lakers in third place in the East Division, which would have them take on the Mustangs in the first round, cross-over match in the post-season.

With the opening set all even at the technical timeout, 16-16, the Lakers went on a 7-0 run to go up 23-16 and finished things off despite a late push by Western.

In the second set, Western led from the start and cruised to a victory, evening the match up and gaining some momentum in the process.

The third set was almost a mirror of the first, as the teams were tied 17-17 before the Mustangs went on an 8-4 run to take the third set, hold their momentum and grab the lead.

The Mustangs put the match away with a fourth set win, once again taking control with the score tied 17-17.

They went on to score eight of the next 13 points to walk away with the set win and the match, moving into second place in the West Division.

Warren Taylor and Curtis MacPherson each had 9 kills and Andy McWiggan added 7 in tonight's match.

The Lakers remain in third place with one match left, as they host the Windsor Lancers.

Game time is schedule for 8pm, with Nipissing honouring four senior student-athletes prior to the match.