GUELPH, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons men's volleyball team had their season in their hands on Sunday afternoon. Welcoming the Windsor Lancers to town, a Gryphons victory would guarantee them a spot in the 2022 OUA West Division Playoffs. The home team was able to take the first set over the Lancers, and despite four very close sets, all won by three or less points, Windsor would take the next three to beat the Gryphons 3-sets-to-1, ending the Gryphons 2021-22 season. Set scores were 25-23, 23-25, 23-25 & 22-25.
Jonathan Pickett set the tone in the first set with an assertive kill to claim the first point of the match. The Gryphons followed his lead, showing a lot of confidence in the early parts of this set, as more strong hitting from Pickett and
Alexander Odle helped the Gryphons stay on top and in control for the majority of the first set. The Lancers stayed right behind the Gryphons, showing the home team that they were here to compete and the two teams engaged in a tight battle for the rest of this set, but the Gryphons were able to maintain their lead and grab the first set of this crucial matchup 25-23.
The Lancers responded well in the second set, jumping out to an early lead, but the Gryphons did not take long to get right back into the game. Strong blocking from
Jonathan Pickett and
Noah Romero-Marshall, along with some steady defence, led by libero
Ben Kissack helped the Gryphons briefly pull away from the visiting team, but the Lancers quickly recovered from the deficit. The two teams would stay neck and neck, until the Gryphons found themselves trailing 24-20, as the second set got into its deciding points.
The Gryphons stayed composed, chipping away at the Lancers lead and managing to claw back to within 1, but the Lancers snagged the second set 25-23 to tie the match 1-1.
The third set followed the trend of this game as the Gryphons and Lancers refused to let each other pull away. The Gryphons went into the technical timeout down 16-14 but responded with 2 quick points to tie the set up at 16. The two teams would go point for point, the Gryphons never allowing this set to slip away from them. With every defensive stop as important as every attack, the Gryphons looked to find a way to inch past the visiting Lancers. The home team found themselves with their backs against the wall, down 24-22. The Gryphons were able to bring themselves within 1 again but unfortunately, it was not enough, as the Gryphons dropped the second straight set by a score of 25-23.
The Gryphons went down early again in the fourth set but managed to keep the Lancers within their sights, as they continued to cling to their playoff hopes in this season-defining matchup. The Gryphons maintained their chase of the Lancers, but struggled to put together a solid run of points to make up ground on the Lancers lead. The Gryphons fought their way back to get within striking distance. They would put up 2 straight points to come within 2 of Windsor, down 24-22. But unfortunately, the visiting team would put home the game-winning point to win the set 25-22, squashing the Gryphons 2022 OUA Playoffs hopes.
Jonathan Pickett finished with 18 kills for the Gryphons to lead the team and the game.
Alexander Odle chipped in with 10.
Jack Richards finished with 29 assists while
Gideon Dresser contributed 13, and
Ben Kissack finished the game with 18 digs to lead the team and the game.
The Gryphons finish the season with a 3-10 record.
The Gryphons honoured three graduating seniors prior to the game, recognizing their great contributions to the men's volleyball program. They include: two-time all-star libero,
Ben Kissack; standout setter and student-athlete mentor,
Gideon Dresser; as well as assistant coach Tommy Pham, who started out with the team as a trainer, and will be returning next year to continue coaching the Gryphons.
