The Guelph Gryphons lost 3-1 to the CIS fifth place leaders, the Western Mustangs, after a long and challenging match, in Guelph on Friday night at the W.F. Mitchell Centre. Set scores were 25-23, 21-25, 22-25, and 25-27.  

The Gryphons entered the game ready to take on the aggressive and well unified Mustangs. They worked hard to overcome Mattieu Poulin's (Winnipeg, MB) great play, and Sean McKay's (Sudbury, ON) impeccable setting. The Gryphons managed to take the first set 25-23 behind some great play from James Stamler (North Bay, ON).

 

It was clear that at this point Western needed to pick up their game and it wasn't long before the Mustangs started to build a lead during the second set. Guelph seemed to falter mid-way through, and let far too many attacks hit the floor without defense. At one point the Gryphons were eight points behind the Mustangs. However, Winston Rosser's (Whitby, ON) used some steady kills as Guelph picked up momentum near the end and began closing the gap. The set finished 21-25.

 

During the third set the teams sat neck-to-neck in points until they reached 13-13, where the Mustangs took off and the Gryphons could not keep up. Western began to build a lead thanks to Matthew Waite (St. Thomas, ON). But, after Guelph defense shut-out three consecutive attacks from the Mustangs, their morale was lifted and they toughed it out until the end. Western took the third set 22-25.

 

In the fourth set Guelph struggled against Western's forward line, and had difficulty returning attacks. However, as the set drew closer to an end the Gryphons responded and Andrew Revie (Guelph, ON) and Rosser took control of the match. They helped build the score from 16-20 all the way up to 25-25 in a short matter of minutes. Western held it together and still managed to come out on top finishing 25-27.

 

Winston Rosser led the Gryphons with 18 total points, 17 kills, and 3 digs. James Stamler followed directly behind him with 17 total points, 16 kills, 1 ace, and 6 digs.

 

Leading the Mustangs was Matthew Waite led with 24 total points, and 19 kills; along with Garret May (Scarborough, ON) who had 16 total points, and 14 kills.

 

The Gryphons next play the Windsor Lancers on January 15^th in Guelph at the W.F. Mitchell Centre. The game begins at 8pm.