GUELPH, Ont. - Trying to gain some ground in the OUA's West division standings Saturday night at the GGAC, the Guelph Gryphons wound up on the wrong end of a hard fought four set contest. Hosting the McMaster Marauders, who entered the game two points ahead of the Gryphons in the standings, Guelph was unable to get the better of McMaster falling 23-25, 13-25, 27-25, 25-27.
For the Gryphons, they were able to keep pace with the Marauders throughout much of the night, with just a couple of points here and there ultimately deciding the match.
As the game got underway, the Gryphon faithful at the GGAC were treated to a wonderful opening set. With both Guelph and McMaster making strong plays and playing solid defence the score remained tight all through the set. 
With McMaster having an early 6-4 lead in the set, neither side would create a lead larger than two points throughout the rest of the set. With the game often tied and the lead changing hands, the visitors were able to win two straight points with the score at 23-23 to secure the opening set.
After the second set began with a similar style and the score staying close, the Marauders were able to make a move up 4-3. McMaster was able to go on and win seven of the next nine points and create a bit of a cushion. From there, the Gryphons did what they could to try and pull back within striking distance, however the two teams would essentially exchange points the rest of the way as the Marauders went up two sets to none.
Stuck behind the eight-ball in the third set, the home team continued to fight. Although the set was held very close initially, the Marauders began to open it up in the middle stages and appeared to be setting themselves up for a three-set win. However, the Gryphons had other ideas. Despite trailing 18-13 and 22-17 in the set, Guelph dug deep and found a way to put together a run late. Down 24-22, the Gryphons fought off back-to-back match points, before fighting off a third one at 25-24. Then after a Lisa Wedel block, Cassidy Collins aced the ensuing serve giving Gryphons the third set 27-25.
In the fourth set, the Marauders were able to establish an early lead going up 4-0. As the set progressed, the Marauders were able to extend their lead as big as six and then held a 24-19 lead near the end. Again though, the Gryphons would not quit. Guelph fended off five straight match points before taking a 25-24 lead. Unfortunately, the Gryphs dropped the next three points as McMaster was finally able to close out the Gryphons.
"There was no doubt that we fought hard and kept fighting," said Gryphon's head coach Paul Funk. "In the timeouts in the third and fourth sets when we were down by so much we kept talking about just keep fighting. The girls put a lot of effort into it and I'm pretty proud that we managed to get it within one point of a fifth set given how the game was going."
Jessica Chung led the Gryphons in kills with 11, while Jade Ziebarth added 10 of her own. Alex Curran led the team in assists with 30, while Tara Tanasijevic recorded a team high 18 digs.
Looking ahead, the Gryphons will now switch their focus to this upcoming weekend. The Lakehead Thunderwolves will make their way to Guelph for two games in two days. The Gryphons will take on Lakehead Friday and Saturday at the GGAC.
