GUELPH, Ont. - Playing arguably their best volleyball of the season, the No. 10-nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons are clicking at the right time as they head to the OUA Final Four in Hamilton on Friday. Winners of six straight sets and four of their last five matches, the Gryphons will be carrying plenty of momentum in to their OUA semi-final match on Friday when they take on the No. 6-nationally ranked Toronto Varsity Blues.
OUA Men's Volleyball Semi-Final
Guelph Gryphons vs Toronto Varsity Blues
Friday, March 6, 2020
5:30pm
Burridge Gymnasium (McMaster University)
OUA.tv
"We've been playing really well lately," said Gryphon's head coach Cal Wigston. "Our last two matches have been really efficient, winning both in three straight. Our guys are so focused and dialed in right now. I've never seen my group of guys this dialed in to the game plan and then executing the game plan."
Advancing to the Final Four with a straight sets victory over a very talented Ryerson Rams squad, the Gryphons showed this past Friday that they were not going to be denied a trip to the OUA semis. Now with the Final Four set to begin, the path to an OUA title becomes even more challenging with the Varsity Blues standing in the way.
This season, Toronto has been a dominant force in the East division. At the end of the 2019-20 regular season, the Blues dropped only one match, which came at the hands of the 15-2 McMaster Marauders. With a pair of tremendous left side hitters on their roster, Evan Falardeau and Chris Towe, the Toronto attack is a potent one. Both Falardeau and Towe finished the regular season in the OUA's Top-8 for kills per set. Setting up their kill opportunities, Varsity Blue's setter Jordan Figueira led the conference in total assists and finished second in assists per set.
"They are well coached, with incredible outside hitters, a great setter and two middle blockers who are younger but incredibly efficient," Wigston said.
Having to deal with arguably the best hitter in the conference last week in their quarter-final win over Ryerson, the Gryphons will look to continue containing the high flying attacks as best they can. Just like on Friday, the Gryphs will look to Jakson Paterson to lead the charge at the net with his strong middle block, while Ben Kissack will remain a big component for Guelph, trying to dig up any Toronto hits that get through or around the block.
When the Gryphons get control of the ball and the opportunity to go on offence, expect to see Zarko Ubiparip lead the way. With Ubiparip finishing the regular season fifth in the OUA in kills, Guelph will continue to use the strong right arm of the Kitchener native. Two more key outlets for the Gryphons will be Oliver Hissink and OUA West Rookie of the Year Jonathan Pickett.
Earlier this season, the Gryphons and Varsity Blues squared off once in Guelph, with Toronto taking the match in four sets.
With three spots to the U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championships on the line at the OUA Final Four, the winner of Friday's match between Guelph and Toronto will not only book a spot in the OUA Final, but the U SPORTS Championships as well. The loser meanwhile, will head to the OUA bronze medal match to battle for the final berth to nationals.
First serve between the Gryphs and Varsity Blues is scheduled for 5:30 on March 6 from Hamilton.
"We're going to trust our process and trust our game plan," said Wigston.
