Box Score GUELPH, Ont. – It was the perfect way to wrap up the home part of the regular season. The Guelph Gryphons volleyball team was hungry for a win, especially in a big occasion. The Gryphons dug deep and defeated the McMaster Marauders 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-16, and 25-19 on Senior Night at the GGAC
The energy level was high on the Guelph's home court as the program prepares to say goodbye to a pair of veteran athletes. Left side
Sophia Herrera, a Neuroscience student from Etobicoke, ON, and
Laura Duncan, a Biological Science major and Whitby, ON, who plays the right side, were honoured before the match. Each were presented with flowers and a gift, while highlights of the pair played on the scoreboard.
And with the mood upbeat, the Gryphons produced. First-year international student
Noa Pijl led the way with 13 kills, while Herrera was right behind her teammate with 11.
Alex Curran had a match-high 40 assists, while
Tara Tanasijevic led all players with 22 digs.
Sophia Herrera and Laura Duncan with coach Paul Funk on Senior Night
The Gryphons closed well. The team had a great defensive sequence to go up 17-11 in the fourth and a
Michaela Hellinga kill got them to 21-15. McMaster made an error on match point, helping Guelph snap a three-match losing streak.
Guelph also started fast and Herrera chipped in early with a big kill from the left side to make it 9-4 for the hosts. The Gryphons continued to build on the margin and eventually took a 1-0 lead when McMaster's front line was unable to handle a Collins kill.
The Marauders answered back with some good work to tale the second set 25-19 but Guelph had its own response in the third. Pihl got her team to 24-16 when she finished an epic point with a kill from the left side and Herrera ended it moments later with a kill that gave the Gryphons a 2-1 lead. The win was the first time Guelph had taken a third set since a beating Nipissing 3-0 back on Jan 26.
The Gryphons are still in contention for a playoff spot despite running into a rough stretch the past couple weeks, dropping three straight matches heading into the meeting with McMaster. But the win over the Marauders would giove them an edge in a tiebreak if the two end up tied in the standings after next weekend wraps up.
Guelph completes the 2018/19 season with road matches at Windsor and Western.
Gryphon Take
"Laura has played a number of roles with the team in her four years and has been a steadying influence and valuable teammate both on and off the court. Sophia spent her first two years as a member of the Gryphons track and field team before switching to the volleyball program. Her explosive jumping ability has allowed her to become a valuable hitter coming off the bench for us this year."
"We kept our Senior Night streak intact. It was good for those two to win in their last home game. We did what we had to do tonight. Noa had one of her better performances and Cass was effective in attack."
– head coach Paul Funk
The Record
Guelph is 8-9.
Next up
@ Windsor, Friday, Feb. 22, 6 pm
