GUELPH, ON – The Gryphons Men's Volleyball team put up a valiant effort against the top ranked McMaster Marauders in a straight sets loss Saturday night at W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre. Set scores were 22-25, 25-27 and 19-25.
It was a back and forth affair as the Gryphons (4-7) put themselves in position to take the first two sets, the Marauders (13-0) found a way and came up big when it mattered most in the match led by their fourth year standout, Stephen Maar who was dominant in the win with a game high 15 kills and 3 service aces. The Gryphons had a tough time dealing with Maar's power; especially his serve throughout the night.
The pivotal point in the match came in the second set with the Marauders up 26-25 and serving for set, the Gryphons were unable to return the shot from Craig Ireland giving the number one ranked team in the CIS the two sets lead as they wouldn't look back.
The first set played out very similarly with the Marauders making the key play that would propel them to the two sets lead. The first set came down to a touch shot from Andrew Richards that managed to fall in the perfect spot that the Gryphons weren't able get to as it gave the visitors a pivotal 23-22 lead and they would take the next two points to claim the set.
The Marauders would take control in the third set as Jayson McCarthy stepped up recording 6 of his 13 kills in the set and the Gryphons weren't able mount another charge as Andrew Kocur's two timely aces would seal the victory for McMaster.
Josh Green led the Gryphons with 13 kills in a tough loss as they fought and clawed all match keeping the match close. In the end the power and length of McMaster was the difference.
The Gryphons will get another crack at the undefeated Marauders on January 24 in Hamilton.
Notes:
- The loss tonight marks the 9th straight loss against the Marauders for the Gryphons as their last win against them was on February 11, 2011.
- Zach Newman did not play in the final two sets of the match for Guelph due to an apparent injury
