Box Score McMaster was punished for its errors on Friday, as Western stormed back from a two-set deficit to defeat the Marauders 3-2 in the teams' season opener at the Burridge Gym Friday.

Set scores were 19-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-22 and 15-13 for the Mustangs, who won their first match at the Burridge Gym since 2011.

Derek Kuiack was the difference maker for Western on Friday, as the outside hitter entered the game as the setter in the third set and settled the Mustangs' offense. He finished with a total of 32 assists in three sets played.

Outside Justin Scapinello led all scorers with 19 points in the Mustang win, including 17 kills.

Danny Demyanenko led the Marauders with 18.5 points on 13-20 hitting versus three errors, two aces and three and a half blocks.

Despite struggles with their service and reception, the Marauders appeared well on their way to a opening-night victory when they survived a scare to eke out the second set and take a 2-0 lead overall.

But that changed when Western solidified its own game, significantly improving its passing with the introduction of Kuiack. The combination of Mike Choja and Chris Newcombe began to take advantage of the better service through the middle, while Scapinello handled volume on the outside.

In a back-and-forth third set, Western held its nerve to edge past McMaster 26-24, and the hosts kept momentum in their corner for the remainder of the contest.

For McMaster, unreliable passing and self-inflicted wounds from the service line made for an uphill climb on Friday. The Marauders committed 14 service errors versus just four aces in the loss, and tossed in nine reception errors.

It was a loose, and ultimately, costly performance from the defending champions, and one that coach Dave Preston will look to improve by leaps and bounds in time for McMaster's return to the Burridge Gym on Saturday.

The Marauders go in search of a bounce back against the Windsor Lancers, with that game getting underway at 8:00 p.m., following the conclusion of the preceding women's match.

As usual, McMaster students can get in free by wearing maroon and bringing their student card.

If you can't make it to the gym, you can catch the Marauders live on OUA.TV, where the broadcast team of Alex Pocrnick and Fraser Caldwell have the call.