The University of Guelph women's volleyball team finished their season with a 5 set victory over the Western Mustangs this afternoon (Feb. 10) and the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Center. Set scores were 23-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-18 & 15-13.

The win Gryphons finished off their season with a 6-12 record, while the Mustangs finish at 9-9 on the season. 

The first set started close but Western was able to open up a 10-5 lead which they held until 20-14. Guelph then reeled off an 8-0 run with great blocking to take the lead 22-20 but couldn't hold the lead dropping the set 25-23.

The Gryphons started fast in set two jumping out to an early 10-6 lead which was expanded later on to win easily at 25-13.

Western came out strong in the third set ramping up their intensity but Guelph managed to stay with them until 20. A short Western run allowed them to take the set 25-22.

The Gryphons refused to fold though and jumped out to an 11-6 lead in set 4. Guelph expanded the lead to 20-11 but a brief Western run allowed them to narrow the gap before Guelph eventually finished with a 25-18 win. 

The fifth set was an up and down affair with Guelph jumping to an early 4-0 lead followed by Western's 7-3 run to tie it at seven. The Gryphons re-took the lead at 10-8 but 3 straight by Western had them up 11-10. The teams tied twice more at 12 and 13 before Guelph was able to finish the match on a 2-0 run to win 15-13.
 
"I thought the key to this match was our first set. Even though we didn't win it, we played with intensity right from the start and it set the tone for the rest of the match," said Coach Funk. "We got contributions from so many people today so it was a great match to end our season on."

Defensively, Kristen Almhjell (Richmond, BC) led with an incredible 23 digs and was solid again in serve receive. Offensively, Julie Gordon (Barrie, ON) (15 kills, 1 ace) and Alicia Combe-Dingwall (St.Catharines, ON) (7 kills, 2 aces, 7 blocks) led the Gryphons with 16 each followed by Taylor Crown (Victoria Harbour) with 14 (13 kills, 1 block) and Marieka Ouimette (Spencherville, ON) with 13 (9 kills, 1 ace, 3 blocks). Guelph finishes the season with  a 6-12 record.