GUELPH, Ont. - Something had to give Saturday night at the GGAC as the top two teams in the OUA's West division squared off. The Guelph Gryphons, winners of three in a row welcomed the No. 3-nationally ranked and winners of seven straight games, McMaster Marauders for a key divisional contest. With just two points separating the two teams coming into the match, it was very apparent why that was the case throughout the game.

With the two sides going back and forth exchanging big hits and big blocks, it was ultimately the visiting Marauders who went on to win the match, as the Gryphons fell 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 19-25, 19-25).

In front of a loud crowd at the GGAC, both teams delivered plenty to get excited about in the opening set. With each side creating big kills, while also playing scrappy defence, neither side had much success building a lead. Although they were not able to break away from the Marauders, the Gryphons were able to hold the lead throughout most of the first set. Leading 22-20, Gryphon's middle Jakson Paterson stuffed a McMaster attack to pull the Gryphons within one point of the set. Then just a couple of points later, the Marauders sent a serve into the net as Guelph took the opening set 25-22.

As the second set got underway, the Gryphons continued to play strong volleyball, but also had to deal with a very strong McMaster push. Ranked a top three team in the country, the Marauders began to show exactly why that is the case. Seemingly having an answer for each Gryphon attack, the Marauders were able to establish a lead and keep Guelph in chase mode all through the set. Although down, the Gryphons did continue to battle keeping the score within strike distance, but in the end, McMaster was just a bit too strong taking the set 25-20.

The same style of play continued into the third set. Again, both teams were able to create offence, but it was the visitors who were able to take the lead and force the Gryphons to battle from behind. Using the same formula, the Marauders were able to secure the third set with a 25-19 victory. 

Finding themselves in a must win fourth set, the task at hand would not be easy for the Gryphons. Down two sets to one to one of the best teams in Canada, Guelph still went to work. Exchanging points with the Marauders to begin the set, the Gryphons quickly showed they would not be pushed over. However, despite their best efforts, the Marauders pwere again able to establish a lead before ultimately taking the set 25-19.

"McMaster is a really good team," said Gryphon's head coach Cal Wigston. "We were able to hang in there with them in the first set, but just couldn't put it together in the other three."

"It's hard to go on three point runs against a team like that, but we've got two weeks now to adjust to them and figure out where things went wrong. We're confident we'll make some good adjustments though."

Leading the way for the Gryphons, Zarko Ubiparip tallied 15 kills. Jonathan Pickett connected on 11 kills. Gideon Dresser led the home side in assists with 29, while Ben Kissack tallied the team high in digs with 14.

With the loss, the Gryphons saw their three game winning streak come to an end. However, they will get a chance at revenge against McMaster. Guelph's next game will be on February 7 when they head to Hamilton to face these same Marauders.