GUELPH, ON – In what was the final varsity women's volleyball game ever to be played in the West Gym of the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre, the Gryphons made sure to say goodbye to "the Barn" in style. The Gryphons celebrated "Senior Night" with a four-sets victory over one of the top teams in the OUA in the Ryerson Rams on Friday night. Set scores were 12-25, 25-23, 25-19 & 25-16. The Gryphons (8-9) still have two games remaining on their regular season schedule, but both are on the road. Next season, both the Gryphons volleyball and basketball teams will play their home games in the New Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre. Friday night's "Senior Night" victory was the latest in a pattern that has started to develop over the last half decade or so.

"When I came here on my recruiting trip four years ago, they won against the No. 1 team, York, on their Senior Night," Ashleigh Andzel said after beating Ryerson. "And it's been a win on every Senior Night since." Five Gryphon seniors were honoured before the match: Farren Varty-Macdonald, a fourth-year middle blocker from Gibsons, B.C.; Kristen Almhjell, a fourth-year libero from Richmond, B.C.; Nicole Collard, a fourth-year middle blocker from Sudbury, ON; Becky Breau, a fifth-year right-side from London, ON; and Ashleigh Andzel, a fourth-year setter from Whitby, ON.
 
 
Breau, the team's co-captain, was a rookie in that win over York. She's been part of five consecutive Senior Night victories now.
 
"It's kind of a tradition," she said, laughing. She added that each Senior Night is among her favourite memories of her time with the Gryphs, and especially of the West Gym.
 
A win did not seem likely early on, as Ryerson jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead and cruised to a first-set victory. But Guelph won a seesaw battle in the second set and took control from there.
 
"The girls were excited, and maybe a little too amped up, but they settled down nicely," said Gryphs head coach Paul Funk. "The second set was key because we had to pull our boots up and get to work, and that's what we did."
 
"It was scary coming in here, knowing that this was going to be my last game and the last game in this building," Andzel said. "It was really nerve-wracking. It was hard to get into the game at first because we were so nervous about it."
 
"We let our nerves get the best of us," Breau agreed, "but after the first set we let it go and got back to our game. We didn't think about the mistakes in the first set, and we just moved on."
 
Andzel led all players with 38 assists and added 10 digs, an impressive performance given the injuries she's been coping with.
 
"Ashleigh's been hurt for a big chunk of this season," Funk said. "She had a concussion in the first semester and she's having to deal with a kneecap issue right now, so she'll be a little bit sore tomorrow, but she put in a tremendous effort tonight. She gave it her all tonight."
 
Breau had nine kills and eight digs. The other seniors also went out on high notes, with Collard contributing seven kills and six digs, Almhjell adding 14 digs and Varty-Macdonald chipping in with two kills and three digs.
 
Co-captain Maddie Dedecker, of Dorchester, ON, led the way with 15 kills while Meghan Morelli, of London, ON, had nine kills and eight digs.
 
Friday's win guaranteed the Gryphs a playoff berth, but they won't host a post-season game. They have two matches left in their regular season, including a Saturday afternoon contest in St. Catharines against Brock. They'll finish up next Friday, Feb. 19 in North Bay against Nipissing.
 
But even though they're back in action right away, the graduating Gryphs will hold Friday's win close to their hearts.
 
"Great friends and family, awesome memories in this gym," Breau said when asked what she'll remember about her tenure. "I'm really sad that the barn won't be used any more for games, but it's such a great place. Great coach, great team, support staff, everyone. I'm going to miss them a lot."
 
"Just being part of this team," Andzel said. "I've met some really great people that I'm going to be friends with forever. It's just the people that make everything great here. And winning tonight on my Senior Night is going to stay with me until the end."