MVB: Gryphons Win in Straight Sets Over Waterloo in First Game of 2022

GUELPH, Ont. – For the Gryphons men’s volleyball team, 2022 has started off with a bang. Thursday night at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre, in front of 331 fans, the Gryphons finally returned to action, playing in their first OUA regular season game since November 27, 2021. The Gryphons earned a straight sets win over the visiting Waterloo Warriors, winning 25-23, 25-17 & 25-20. The win marks the first of the season for the Gryphons (1-5), who now sit just one game back of Waterloo (2-5) in the crowded OUA West division standings.

“It was really good to be back in the gym competing,” said Cal Wigston, now in his 16th season as head coach of the Gryphons men’s volleyball team. “It was a tough 10 days of training to get ready, but the team worked hard, and it showed in their play.”

Jonathan Pickett, who was named the OUA West Rookie of the Year back in 2019-20, continues to impress in his second season of on-court action with the Gryphons. The Wiarton, Ontario native spearheaded the Gryphon attack on Thursday night versus Waterloo, racking up a team-high 11 kills on just 18 total attacks. Alexander Odle (6 kills, 2 aces) and Josh Glasbergen (3 kills, 2 aces) were both part of an efficient, balanced Gryphon attack, with veteran setter Gideon Dresser (24 assists) helping set the table.

The Gryphons took a competitive, back-and-forth opening set with Glasbergen and team captain, Arjun Selhi, both coming up with big kills down the stretch. The Gryphons dominated in the 2nd set, winning 25-17, and continued that momentum into the 3rd set, with Guelph compounding Waterloo errors while continuing to attack at an extremely efficient rate, led by Pickett.

The Gryphons (1-5) now have seven games remaining in their regular season schedule, with each of their next four games coming away from home. The Gryphons will complete a home-and-home matchup with the Warriors (2-5) on Saturday (Feb. 12) as they head to the University of Waterloo for a 3pm game on Saturday afternoon. The next home game for the Gryphons comes on Sunday, February 27 when they host the OUA perennial powers, the McMaster Marauders.

🏐🎥MVB HIGHLIGHT: A nice adjustment from Jonathan Pickett as he tips this one that finds the line for a Gryphon point! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/Z4qFYq2Jh9

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 11, 2022

🏐🎥MVB HIGHLIGHT: Arjun Selhi finishes off the set with a cross-court kill to give the Gryphons 1st set! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/wfFqIrEupQ

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 11, 2022

🏐🎥MVB HIGHLIGHT: Gideon Dresser returns the errant set right back where it came from for the kill! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/Zl5mJvxD8Q

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 11, 2022

🏐🎥MVB HIGHLIGHT: “Let’s go!” screams Joshua Glasbergen as he comes up with the block to open up the 3rd set! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/DzuM3iGRpe

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 11, 2022