GUELPH, Ont. – Saturday night's emotional roller coaster at the GGAC unfortunately ended on a low note for the Gryphons men's volleyball team who fell just short in a hard-fought, five-set match with the visiting Brock Badgers. Both teams showed tremendous resiliency, each saving multiple set points before the Badgers were able to ultimately come out on top of a grueling fifth set, 20-18. Set scores for the night read 25-14, 18-25, 17-25, 25-16 & 18-20 in Brock's favour. The victory was Brock's first of the season after an 0-9 start, while the Gryphons fall to 4-7 on the season.
The Gryphons got off to a great start, jumping out to a 7-1 lead in the opening set. After the Badgers battled back to trim the deficit to 12-8, the Gryphons would once again widen the gap with an 8-1 run that put the hosts comfortably in control with a 20-9 lead. The dominant first set by the Gryphons would be capped off by a
Joshua Green ace as the Gryphs took the opening set 25-14.
The 2nd set would prove to be a different story however, with Brock's rookie outside hitter, Logan House, leading the charge for the Badgers. The freshman from Barrie caused the Gryphons some issues with a powerful serve and helped Brock take the second set 25-18 to knot the match up at one set apiece.
Brock's confidence would continue to grow in the 3rd set, where the Badgers would record an impressive .357 hitting percentage compared to a .143 mark from the Gryphons. Brock led 16-3 at the technical timeout, but would push that lead to 21-13 thanks to five straight points off of the Logan House serve once again. The Badgers would go on to take the 3rd set 25-17 to put the Gryphons backs against the wall.
The Gryphons would respond nicely in the 4th set. With things tied at 12-12, the Gryphons would go on an 8-1 run to break things open, giving the Gryphs a 20-13 lead. The U of G middle blockers made several big blocks in the set, while fourth year right side
Zachary Newman would provide the exclamation mark with a kill to seal the set 25-16, setting up a dramatic fifth and final set.
The Gryphons received several big performances in the final set, with the likes of
Samuel Nothnagel,
Kendrick Kerr and Zach Newman all coming through with clutch blocks and timely kills to keep the Gryphons' hopes of a comeback victory alive. With the fifth set tied at 18-18, it appeared the Gryphons had taken a 19-18 lead when a kill from Logan House went long. However, the officials were quick to rule that it took the slightest of touches off of a Gryphon blocker, giving Brock match-point. After another House kill was tipped and un-returnable, the Badgers had officially closed out their first win of the season. House finished with a game-high 26 points for the Badgers, while the Gryphons were led by Kerr (19.5 points) and Newman (13 points).
The Gryphons (4-7) will now look to rebound next week as they prepare to host the Waterloo Warriors in what will be a rematch of last year's OUA semi-final. Last season, the Gryphons came within one win of qualifying for nationals before falling to the Warriors at the OUA Final Four. The two teams will meet up for the first time since that Final Four appearance when the Warriors visit the GGAC on Friday, January 26. The Warriors currently sit at 4-5 on the season and are coming off a straight sets loss to McMaster.
Next Friday's match between Guelph and Waterloo will also mark the first of a home-and-home series, with the Gryphons scheduled to visit U of W on Saturday, February 3.
