GUELPH, Ont. – The Gryphon men's volleyball team improved to 2-1 on the season after they defeated the University of Brock Badgers Saturday night (Nov. 12) at the Gryphons Athletic Centre in straight sets (25-21, 25-14, 25-18).
The Gryphons and Badgers played a tightly contested first set with both teams exchanging kills, blocks, and errors but the home team would take control in the late stages to earn a 1-0 set lead. The second set opened similarly to the first frame, with neither team finding the momentum to pull away.
After a 6-6 tie the Gryphons would go on a 6-1 run capped off with back-to-back kills from
Jacob Bailey. Bailey, a middle blocker in his second year with the Gryphons, would finish the game with 3 kills and 2 blocks for 6.5 points. The Badgers would be unable to pull themselves back into the set with Gryphons taking firm control building an 11-point lead to close out the set and take a 2-0 set lead.
The third, and ultimately final set, would see the pattern from the previous two sets emerge once again. The Badgers and Gryphons would play it close, with the Badgers leading by a point or two for much of the set, but the home team would find their next gear. The Gryphons would allow just 4 points after a 14-14 tie and solidify their straight sets win with a 25-18 victory.
The Gryphons were once again led by All-Canadian talent and 2021 OUA kill leader Johnathan Pickett, who accounted for 10 of the Gryphons 37 points which included 9 kills and a block. Close behind him was left side hitter
Cameron Chadwick. Chadwick continued his strong start to the 2022-23 season with an 8 point, 6 kill night, half of which came in the final set. Leading the team in kill assists once again was setter
Jack Richards who finished the game with 15. The Gryphons dominant win included just 11 team errors while forcing 28 from the visiting Badgers.
The Gryphons will look for their third win of the season on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 13) when they take on these same Badgers, this time as the visiting team in St. Catharines.
