2021-22 Season Preview: Gryphons Men’s Volleyball

GUELPH, Ont. – After almost two full years off the court, the Guelph Gryphons men’s volleyball team will finally return to action this weekend. On Saturday night (Nov. 6), the Gryphons will get their 2021-22 season officially underway with an 8pm road matchup versus the Brock Badgers in St. Catharines. The last time the Gryphons men’s volleyball team took part in meaningful OUA action was at the 2019-20 OUA Final Four, where they fell just short of capturing a medal following a hard-fought loss to the McMaster Marauders in the OUA bronze medal match. In 2021-22, the Gryphons return several key pieces from that 2019-20 squad, with Cal Wigston back for his 16th season as head coach of the University of Guelph men’s volleyball program. The Gryphons will begin their 2021-22 season in seach of a third OUA Final Four appearance in the past five seasons.

This year’s modified men’s volleyball schedule will see the Gryphons play three fewer regular season games than in years past (14 regular season games in 2021-22, down from 17 regular season games played in 2019-20). Helping lead the way for the Gryphons in 2021-22 is proven veteran and team captain, Arjun Selhi. Selhi, a 6’5″ middle blocker from Mississauga, ranked 2nd on the team in blocks (28) a season ago, while also registering 57 kills and 9 service aces. Helping anchor the middle alongside Selhi will be Noah Romero-Marshall, a 6’3″ landscape architecture major from Oakville. Wiarton, Ontario native Jonathan Pickett returns for his second season of on-court action with the Gryphons after a sensational rookie campaign back in 2019-20. During Pickett’s freshman season, he ranked 2nd on the team (behind only OUA All-Star Zarko Ubiparip) in kills (136) and total attacks (354). Pickett, who majors in sport and event management, was named the OUA West Rookie of the Year in 2019-20, the first Gryphon to receive conference-wide rookie of the year honours since 2003. The talented outside hitter also recently gained international experience this off season after returning home from Italy and Bulgaria as part of Canada’s FIVB U21 team.

The Gryphons are also talented at libero thanks to the return of fourth-year man, Ben Kissack. The Aurora, Ontario native, who majors in human health and nutritional sciences, was named an OUA West 2nd Team All-Star in 2019-20 after having led the league in digs (169), 20 of which came in a single match against the Windsor Lancers. At setter, the Gryphons are led by Gideon Dresser, a proven talent who returns for his third-year of eligibility with the Gryphs after having racked up 441 assists during an impressive 2019-20 season for the Winnipeg native. Of the 11 new additions to the 2021-22 roster, there is one name that will be familiar to fans of OUA men’s volleyball. Setter Jack Richards, the younger brother of former Gryphon captain, Kyle Richards, as well as former McMaster standout, Andrew Richards, is set to make his U of G debut this season. Another promising rookie who could make an immediate impact for the Gryphons in 2021-22 is 6’6″ outside hitter, Jacob Schweyer from Sudbury, ON. Local native Braeden Sears, who helped John F. Ross dominate at the D-10 level during his high school career, will look to carry that success into the OUA ranks, while a pair of Liam’s in Liam Kinahan (6’5″ | Waterloo, ON) and Liam Rocheleau (6’4″ | Stoufville, ON) are all part of a promising group of incoming rookies to the Gryphons men’s volleyball program. Following the team’s season opener on Saturday night in St. Catharines, the Gryphons will return to the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre for their home opener on Friday, November 12 when they host the McMaster Marauders.

Player Quote – Arjun Selhi (3rd-year Eligibility, Middle Blocker, Mississauga, ON | Criminal Justice & Public Policy):
“We can’t wait to be back on the court and competing again. Our team is young and healthy and ready to get the season started. The goal is simple, we’re back to compete for the banner.”

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Arjun Selhi (3rd-year eligibility, Middle Blocker)
Ben Kissack (Masters, Libero)
Jonathan Pickett (3rd-year eligibility, Left Side)
Noah Romero-Marshall (3rd-year eligibility, Middle Blocker)
Gideon Dresser (3rd-year eligibility, Setter)

KEY ADDITIONS
Braden Sears (Left Side, Guelph, ON)
Jacob Schweyer (Right Side, Sudbury, ON)
Liam Kinahan (Left Side, Waterloo, ON)
Liam Rocheleau (Left Side, Stouffville, ON)
Jack Richards (Setter, London, ON)

KEY LOSSES
Zarko Ubiparip
Jakson Paterson
Oliver Hissink