GUELPH, Ont. – Emotions ran high Friday night at the GGAC. The Guelph Gryphons men's volleyball team was determined to manufacture a memorable send off for six players in their last ever home match in the red, black and gold colours. But the defending OUA champion McMaster Marauders simply had too much firepower as Guelph fell 3-0 (12-25, 27-29, and 13-25) on Senior Night.
Before the match, the team honoured senior players
Zachary Newman,
Kendrick Kerr,
Samuel Nothnagel,
Christian Bechard,
Terry Pham, and
Robert Abrams. Each of the players came out with family members and friends, while also receiving a framed picture and jersey.
Newman led Guelph with 9 kills, while setter
Gideon Dresser had 26 assists.
Injured star Kendrick Kerr with his supporters on Senior Night
The Marauders, who came into the night atop the OUA West with a sparkling 12-2 record, were hard to slow down, paced by a match-high 16 kills from Andrew Richards. McMaster hit an astonishing .365 through the three-setter and started rolling early with a decisive 25-12 win to go up 1-0.
It was much tougher sledding in the second as Guelph battled to get back into the match.
Zarko Ubiparip had a massive block to tie the set 27-27 but McMaster took the next point with a quick set and kill before a Gryphon attack error gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead.
The pre-match ceremony offered some insight into the team's season, one where injuries have been the prevailing theme. Kerr was in street clothes and Nothnagel, a towering Aussie from Melbourne, still sported crutches from the severe knee injury he suffered months ago. Newman has been a little hobbled lately, with many other players having missed chunks of time, as well.
Guelph entered the night sitting in the fourth and final playoff spot in the division, two games ahead of the fifth-place Waterloo Warriors. The Warriors, who own the tiebreaker between the two teams, faced off against Brock with an opportunity to close the gap on the Gryphons.
Guelph has road games against Windsor and Western in its final two outings of the regular season next weekend.
Gryphon Take
"Along with being an every-day player, Zach is also a member of the volleyball team's leadership council and acting captain. Zach has been named to 2 OUA All-Star teams. Thank you to Zach for five years of service to Gryphon volleyball."
"Ken has been a starter and a vital part of the Gryphon volleyball team since he arrived on campus five years ago. He has been a two-year captain leading guys in his last season even while dealing with a serious injury. In is five years as a Gryphon, he has been named to the OUA all-star team for four years and an All Canadian for one year."
"Sam is known to be the heart and soul of the team. He has had the responsibility of acclimating the new players to the program, taking them around campus and making them feel at home. Due to a terrible knee injury, Sam has been unable to finish out his year on the court."
"Chris has been a key member of the Gryphon team since he arrived on campus. Due to a hip injury, Chris had to take a year off to rehab. Since he has returned to the team, he has been the ultimate team player leading the guys on and off the court. Chris is the ultimate spark plug."
"Terry is a hometown player who started out his career as a team manager, taking on challenges like developing team management software, as well as analyzing stats. In his third year, Terry wanted to try his skills as libero and made the team. Terry has been the ultimate team player as a manager and player."
"In his first year as a Gryphon, Robbie has been an incredible resource to the team, often acting as a coach and mentor to the younger players."
– head coach Cal Wigston
The Record
Guelph is 8-7.
Next up
@ Windsor, Friday, Feb. 22, 8 pm
