TORONTO, Ont. - Despite having finished the regular season third in the OUA West division, the Guelph Gryphons could not have drawn themselves much of a tougher opponent to begin their playoff run on Saturday. Tasked with having to find a way through the No. 4-nationally ranked Ryerson Rams on the road, the Gryphons were all business from the moment they stepped on the Coca Cola Court.
Using sheer determination and perseverance, the Gryphons battled all afternoon, and in the end were rewarded with a five set victory (22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 15-11). Getting at least nine kills from five different players, the Gryphons put forth a complete team effort in the win as they punched their ticket to the OUA Final Four.
For much of the first half of each respective set, neither side was able to build much of a lead, as the match remained a close one for all five sets.
As the opening set got underway, both the Gryphons and Rams would take slim leads only to see the other side come right back. Tied 10-10 and later 14-14, the Gryphons managed to secure three straight points leading to a Ryerson time-out. For the Rams, the time-out worked wonders as they struck right back winning the next seven points to go up 21-17. Although the Gryphs were able to trade a few points back and forth it was the Rams taking the opening set 25-22.
With momentum seemingly in favour of the home side, Guelph fell behind 7-3 to start the second. Using their resiliency though, the Gryphons were able to chip away at the deficit before getting the match tied 12-12 and ultimately taking a 16-15 lead at the technical time-out. From there on, Guelph would go toe-to-toe with the Rams trying to even the sets at 1-1. Falling behind 22-21, the Gryphons did not panic, and instead turned on the attack. Getting kills from Jessica Chung and Lisa Wedel, along with a service ace from Thea Brouwer, the Gryphons would not give Ryerson another point the rest of the set as Guelph took set two 25-22.
Tied 1-1, both teams returned to the court for a pivotal third set. Having trailed by a couple of points to start the third, the Gryphs flipped the switch while down 12-10. Following a block by Jade Ziebarth, the 5th-year transfer from Windsor then went on a tear from the service line. Tallying nine straight points, the Gryphons opened up a comfortable 20-12 lead. Despite a late Ram's push, Guelph was able to hold off the home team and secure the third set 25-21.
Looking to propel themselves into the OUA Final Four for the first time since 2015, the Gryphons were able to build up a small lead during the middle stages of the fourth set. 
Going up 14-11 on Ryerson the Gryphs began inching closer to the finish line. However, despite trailing, the Rams were able to quickly dust themselves off and begin taking control of the set. Rattling off five straight points during the set, Ryerson went up 18-15 before taking the set 25-18 forcing a fifth and deciding set.
With minimal room for error in the fifth set, with it only going to 15, the Gryphons were able to make the first run. Although down 4-2, Guelph won six straight rallies to give them an 8-4 lead at the switch. Once each team got to the opposite side of the court and resumed play, it was the Rams all of a sudden coming right back. Using a pair of three point runs, Ryerson went up 10-9 as the match neared a conclusion. Again though, the Gryphons went right back to their resilient play and battled through. Taking six of the next seven points, capped off by a block from Wedel and Alex Curran, the Gryphons won the set 15-11 and took the match 3-2.
Ally Proulx led all Gryphon attackers with 19 kills. Chipping in behind her though, Chung had 13, Wedel finished with ten, and both Ziebarth and Cassidy Collins recorded nine. Setting them up all match long was Curran who finished with 50 assists. Collins, meanwhile, led the team in total blocks with three.
Next up on the Gryphon's schedule will be the OUA semi-finals. Beginning on March 6, the two-day tournament will wrap up on March 7.
