Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball team fought hard, but dropped a pair of matches on the road to the Western Mustangs this past weekend.

Friday night, the Lakers fell in five sets, while Saturday they lost in four.

In the first match of the weekend, Nipissing won the opening set 27-25 before falling 25-16 in the second.

The Lakers grabbed the lead again, winning 25-22 before dropping the fourth set 27-25 to set up a fifth and deciding set.

Western came away with a 15-10 win to claim the match.

Justice Smith led the offence with 18 kills, while Tyrus Cuculick and Trent O'Brien each had 10 in the contest.

In Saturday's contest, Western claimed the first two sets, winning 25-20 and 25-23 before the Lakers responded with a 25-22 win to extend the match.

The Mustangs grabbed the win with a 25-22 win in the fourth game.

Taydon Shantz led the Lakers with 14 kills, while Tyrus Cuculick had 12 and Justice Smith added 11 in the match.

Nipissing will be back in action in January, beginning at home against McMaster.