GUELPH, Ont. - Coming off a thrilling five set quarter-final victory over the No.4-nationally ranked Ryerson Rams on Saturday, the No. 10-nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons are flying high as they head to Toronto for the OUA Final Four. In what will be their first trip to the league semi-finals tournament since 2015, the Gryphons will find themselves matched up with a very familiar foe on Friday when they take on the No. 6-nationally ranked Brock Badgers.
Having already battled the Badgers three times this season, twice in the regular year and once in the pre-season, both the Gryphons and Badgers know exactly what the other one brings to the table. With their most recent match playing out as a five set thriller that saw the Badgers sneak away victorious in the end, the Gryphons certainly feel as if there is some unfinished business among their group.
"We came very close to beating Brock in the regular season, and had our chance with a match point to do it," said Gryphon's head coach Paul Funk. "There is very much a feeling within the team that they want another crack at Brock.
Having only lost two of their last eleven matches since the calendar turned to 2020, and one of those being the five setter to Brock, Guelph has arguably been the hottest team in the OUA since that point. With winning nine of their last eleven matches, the confidence of the Gryphon's has built up more and more with each contest. 
In her final season of eligibility, 5th-year transfer Jade Ziebarth has provided invaluable leadership to the Gryphons, while also leading their attack with a team high 198 regular season kills. However, as good as Ziebarth has been this season, Funk says for Guelph to be successful against Brock, they will have to continue what they did against Ryerson and spread the ball around when attacking.
"We have to have balance on offence," he said. "That has been the key to our success over the last month."
"Everybody has been contributing offensively. If we get in to a situation where we are relying to much on Jade or another player we are going to run in to trouble."
Fortunately for the Gryphs, they have plenty of reliable options at the net to mix in. Controlling the middle this season, 3rd-year Human Kinetics major Lisa Wedel has been tremendous at finding the open floor either with a strong attack or a well placed tip. 
Meanwhile, 5'11 left side Ally Proulx showed last week just how much she loves the big moment, racking up a team high 19 kills against the Rams. 3rd-year right side Jessica Chung has also been a key piece for the Gryphons throughout the 2019-20 season finishing the year just behind Ziebarth, Wedel and Proulx for the team lead in kills with 144.
Two other game changers that the Gryphons feature, who will need to bring their very best on Friday are setter Alex Curran and libero Tara Tanasijevic. The argument could be made that both serve as the very best at their respective positions in the entire province.
However, the Badgers boast quite a bit of talent as well, but no one more important than Laura Condotta. The 5th-year left side finished the regular season second in the OUA in kills, kills per set and total attacks, while finishing 4th in total points. She will draw a lot of attention from Guelph Friday night.
With the winner advancing to both the OUA final, as well as the U SPORTS Women's Volleyball Championships, everything will be on the line Friday when the two teams square off. The match is scheduled to get underway at 6:30.
"We are trying not to change our mentality a whole lot," Funk said. "With this crew, we have always just stayed focus on the next game and that will be our mindset going in to Friday."
