GUELPH – It was a proper send off for a couple veterans likely playing the final home match of their careers. Senior Night was a chance to honour fourth-year Guelph Gryphon volleyball players Libby Donevan and Jessica Gormley – and the duo, with teammates in tow, came through on the court. The Gryphons defeated the Trent Excalibur 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-19) at the GGAC Saturday night.
 
Donevan and Gormley, both middle blockers, have been a presence for a very young Gryphon team that has shown incredible growth the past six weeks. Guelph's improved play was evident on Senior Night, as the team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in sets before finishing well in the third.

The Gryphons have made it a tradition to win on Senior Night in recent years and the team was desperate to keep that streak alive.

"It was nice for Libby and Jess to go out that way," said head coach Paul Funk. "They both played exceptionally well tonight."

Donevan (14), Michaela Hellinga (13) and Gormley (11) accounted for 38 of the team's 48 kills in the match. Second-year setter Alex Curran had 37 assists and 11 digs. 
 
The Gryphons (7-10) were sharp in the first set, racking up 11 kills and making just a single error. It was a tougher road in the second as the winless Excalibur battled but at 18-17, Curran made an intelligent play, surprising the visitors by swinging the ball over the net into a space for a huge point. Four straight aces put pressure on the Gryphons but they finished off the set with a vicious Hellinga kill to the back baseline.
 
The seniors were instrumental in the third set. Donevan put one away for a 14-8 lead and Gormley added a kill to make it 17-12. After a Gormley serve, Donevan came up with a huge block on a Trent attack to put the hosts up 21-17.  She would add her second kill in a span of three points to get Guelph within one of a win. And Hellinga ended it moments later.

"It was a must win for us," said Funk, pleased that teh Gryphons remain in the hunt for the OUA playoffs. "We have to get results."
 
Funk said that he doesn't always immediately feel the emotion of Senior Night as he's concerned about the ceremony going well and then focuses on the match. But he admitted that his thoughts are with his departing seniors for a long time after they leave the program. It will be no different with Donevan and Gormley, who were presented with flowers and framed pictures in a pre-match ceremony.
 
Funk said that he was proud of how Donevan developed as a player over the years, reaching the potential she showed as a young athlete.

 

"Libby's gotten better every year that she's been here and was rewarded last year being a Second Team OUA All-star," he said. "She's one of the team jokers. If you don't know her, it's not the impression you would get from her but she's good at keeping things light and the team loose."
  
Funk noted that the foot fracture that kept the St. Catharines, ON native out to start the season was unfortunate and added that Donevan's play since returning in early January, which also coincided with the team's turnaround, has been All-star worthy.
 
"She's been key for us the second half, an offensive force and her blocking has enabled our defence to stabilize," the coach said.
 
Funk has been impressed with Gormley's journey as a Gryphon.
 
"Right from her very first year, Jess has been a hard worker," he said of the Bio-medical Science major from Georgetown, ON, who hopes to be a doctor. "She's improved physically and her work ethic is one of the best, if not the best, on the team. She's our captain this year and has been a leader within the program.
 
"Jess is a high-character kid. She also does a lot outside the sport."

"Losing those two kids is going to be hard," Funk added of the seniors. "Those are some pretty big shoes to fill."