HAMILTON, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons men's volleyball team knew they were in for a tough match in Hamilton Saturday night. The Gryphons certainly got it as they fell in straight sets (19-25, 11-25, 13-25) to the OUA West-leading McMaster marauders at the Burridge Gym.
 
Third-year right side Matthew Baxter had a team-best six kills, while second-year left side Zarko Ubiparip had five to go along with two blocks and five digs. Oliver Hissink paced Guelph in assists with 19.
 
Guelph was missing several bodies, including veteran Zachary Newman out with an injury, and just couldn't get much going against the talented Marauders. Jakson Paterson and Arjun Selhi were called on to play the middle, while Christian Bechard started for the first time this season.

The Gryphons were down 24-17 in the first set and held on for a couple points after a Mac error and an Ubiparip kill. But McMaster would take a 1-0 lead on a kill from Nathan Delguidice.
 
That set was as close as the visitors would get. The hosts led 14-10 in the third and final set before going on a 5-0 run. Delguidice got his ninth kill to make it 24-13 and Mac ended the match with a service ace.
 
Guelph, which split its weekend games after a win at Brock Friday, committed 18 errors and had a hitting percentage of just .071 for the match.
 
The Gryphons will return to action in the new year with a trip to Toronto.


Gryphon Take
"It was a tough night for the guys. Jak and Arjun did a good job in the middle, especially Arjun, who is an outside player. Both of them defended well. And Zarko continues to play a high level in his second year." – head coach Cal Wigston

 
The Record
Guelph is 3-3.

 
Next up
@ Toronto, Saturday, Jan. 12, 8 pm