GUELPH, Ont. – Friday night (Nov. 4) at the Gryphon Athletic Centre the University of Guelph Gryphon's men's volleyball team returned to OUA regular season action when they hosted the Nipissing Lakers in what was the first of a two-day double header between the two teams. The Lakers came out to start the game hot, taking the first set 25-17, but the Gryphons responded exceptionally well. They would go on to take the next three straight sets 25-21, 25-22, and 25-21 to open their season with a win.
 
A 3-1 final score in the first game of the season may be seen as an easy win for the Gryphons but in no way was it. The Gryphons battled for 3 straight sets to close out the game, often holding off Laker surges in which they would pull to within one or tie the game. But the Gryphons would hold on and demonstrate their toughness. Friday night's effort was led by a Gryphon duo of Jonathan Pickett and Jacob Schweyer. Pickett, a 2021-22 U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian, finished the game with a team-high kills, accounting for 14 Gryphon points. Schweyer, a 6-foot-7 outside hitter from Sudbury, Ontario, led the Gryphons defensively with 3 blocks. He also added 7 kills to tally 15 points. The Gryphons were also helped by second year Barrie native, Cameron Chadwick who added 8 kills, including the point to put the Gryphons up 23-21 and set up the winning points. Finally, Andrew Song was an anchor for the Gryphons totaling 28 kill assists to help the Gryphons on their way to 59 points.
 
The Gryphons (1-0) are set to take on the Lakers again on Saturday night (Nov. 5) and look to improve to 2-0 to open their 2022-23 season. The match is set for 8pm at the Gryphon Athletic Centre and can be seen live online at www.oua.tv.