GUELPH, Ont. – It wasn't the sharpest match the Guelph Gryphons women's volleyball team has played all season. But it was over with quickly and the final result was good. Guelph made short work of the Nipissing Lakers, sweeping the visitors 3-0 (25-20, 25-20 and 25-16) on Bell Let's Talk Day at the GGAC Saturday afternoon.
The theme of late has been superior play from third-year left side
Michaela Hellinga and second-year libero
Tara Tanasijevic and the young duo performed well again in helping the Gryphons get above the .500 mark. Hellinga matched teammate
Lisa Wedel with a Guelph-high 9 kills, while also contributing 2 aces, 2 blocks and 5 digs.
Guelph & Nipissing pose for a photo post-game in support of Bell Let's Talk
Tanasijevic leads all OUA players in digs and she added to that total again with 9, second to only
Hazel Atkins, who had 10.
Setter
Alex Curran had 34 assists on the day.
The Gryphons went up 3-0 early in the decisive third set but really took control after a 5-0 run, capped by a
Noa Pijl ace, put them up 9-6. The match ended with Hellinga's ninth kill of the afternoon.
Guelph was in control for much of the day but had to show some resilience in the second set after going down 8-3. The hosts chipped away at the Lakers' lead and trailing 18-15, sprinted to the finish line by winning 10 of the final 12 points to go up 2-0.
The opening set was tight early but at 13-13, Guelph began to pull away, registering the next three points. Hellinga produced a lethal kill to make it 24-17 before securing the set a few points later with another good finish.
Guelph hit .260 on the day compared to just .060 for the 3-7 Lakers.
Gryphon Take
"The result flattered us a bit. There were some little things we need to do better. Michaela was our strongest attacker and carried us on offence again. And Tara played well. Those two have been very consistent for us the past few matches. There were a few stretches where we were really able to put pressure on Nipissing with our serving. That was positive. We also scratched and clawed to get back into the second set."
– head coach Paul Funk
The Record
Guelph is 7-6.
Next up
Brock, Thursday, Jan. 31, 6 pm @ Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre
Bell Let's Talk Day is January 30. Spread the word and help us end the stigma associated with mental illness and grow Bell's funding for mental health. On Bell Let's Talk Day, for every text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell, Bell Aliant an Bell MTS customers, every view of Bell Let's Talk Day on social media, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, every application of the Facebook frame and every use of Bell Let's Talk Snapchat filter, Bell will donate 5 cents to mental health initiatives across the country. To learn more, visit bell.ca/
bell.ca/letstalk.
For information about mental health services on Campus, reach out to Student services, or ask a faculty member or your campus medical clinic [update with any specific school resources].
About mental illness
Mental illnesses can take many forms, just as physical illnesses do.
Mental illnesses are still feared and misunderstood by many people, but the fear will disappear as people learn more. That's why schools from across the country are coming together to combat the stigma associated with mental illness.
If you, or someone you know, has a mental illness, there is good news: All mental illnesses can be treated.
Facts (from Canadian Mental Health Association)
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.
In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.
Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures.
Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.
It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
The total number of 12-19 year-olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.
Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year-old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.
In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them.
