Briar Crerar (Women’s Volleyball) & Jonathan Pickett (Men’s Volleyball) Named Gryph’s Locker Athletes of the Week presented by Core Power

GUELPH, Ont. – Throughout the 2023-24 season, the University of Guelph Department of Athletics will be highlighting various members from our Gryphon varsity program as part of our ‘Gryph’s Locker Athletes of the Week, presented by Core Power’ series. This week’s ‘Gryph’s Locker Athletes of the Week presented by Core Power’ recipients are Briar Crerar (women’s volleyball) and Jonathan Pickett (men’s volleyball) for the period ending January 7, 2024. 
 

Briar Crerar (Women’s Volleyball)

Second-year left side hitter, Briar Crerar becomes just the second member of the Gryphons women’s volleyball team this season to earn ‘Athlete of the Week’ honours after a pair of outstanding performances this past week to kick off the second half of the OUA season. On Thursday night (Jan. 4) Crerar produced a game-high 18 kills, and scoring 19.5 of the Gryphons 71 total points in the match. The psychology major also added 21 digs, a service ace, and an assisted block in the Gryphons 3-2 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues. The following night (Jan. 5) in Toronto the Gryphons and Crerar were back on the court taking on the York Lions. In a come-from-behind five set victory Crerar led the way for the Gryphons once again, tying her career-high in points (20) while setting a new career best in kills in a match with 19. Crerar also led the team in digs (13) while adding a pair of kill assists and a service ace. 

Through nine matches Crerar has put together an exceptional season, ranking among the OUA’s best in several key statistical categories including attacks (283, 4th in the OUA), kills (99, 6th in the OUA), service aces (14, 7th in the OUA), and total points (118.5, 6th in the OUA). With Crerar’s performances helping capture a pair of wins, the Gryphons improved to 7-2 on the season and have sole possession of fourth-place in the OUA standings. Guelph (7-2, 14 points) sits just behind the Queen’s Gaels (7-1, 14 points) while both teams trail the Brock Badgers and McMaster Marauders who are tied for first with 9-1 records. The Gryphons will head on the road this weekend for a pair of matches against the RMC Paladins on Friday and Saturday in Kingston. 
 

Jonathan Pickett (Men’s Volleyball)

For the first time this season, All-Canadian talent Jonathan Pickett earns ‘Athlete of the Week’ honours after helping lead the Gryphons to a pair of wins and first-place position in the OUA men’s volleyball standings. In the Gryphons first game back after the winter break, Pickett led the way in a straight sets victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, recording a game-high 17.5 points and 16 kills while posting a .382 hitting percentage. The fourth-year Wiarton, Ontario native was also one of three Gryphons to record at least three assisted blocks in a game that saw the Gryphons stuff the Varsity Blues 14 times at the net. The following night, the Gryphons and Pickett were in Toronto taking on the York Lions. In a back-and-forth affair, Pickett once again topped the stat sheet with 16 points and 14 kills in a 3-2 victory for the Gryphons. 

Pickett is once again proving why he is one of the premier outside hitters in the nation this season, ranking within the Top 10 in the conference in total blocks (28, 2nd in the OUA), solo blocks (9, 5th in the OUA), hitting percentage (.306, 7th in the OUA), and service aces (11, 9th in the OUA), and leading the OUA in total attacks (340), kills (148), and points (177.5). Pickett’s impressive season has also helped the Gryphons capture the top spot in the conference standings thanks to a 9-2 record in a highly competitive top of the OUA. The McMaster Marauders and Brock Badgers follow closely behind with identical 8-2 records while the Queen’s Gaels (7-1) and Windsor Lancers (7-3) remain in the mix for top spot in the OUA. The next test for the Gryphons comes on the road this weekend when the team will travel to Kingston for back-to-back matches against the RMC Paladins. 
 

2023-24 Gryphon Athletes of the Week

*Indicates U SPORTS Athlete of the Week
*Indicates OUA Athlete of the Week