MVB RECAP: Gryphons Fall to Top-Ranked Sherbrooke in U SPORTS Quarterfinals

KINGSTON, Ont. – Thursday night (March 14) at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, the Guelph Gryphons men’s volleyball team made their first appearance at a national championship tournament in 36 years. The Gryphons entered the 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championships as the No. 8-seed in the eight-team field, and matched up against the top-ranked team in the country in the Sherbrooke Vert et Or. The Gryphons were looking to become the first team this season to hand the undefeated Vert et Or a loss, but the Quebec champions continued their winning ways, defeating Guelph in the U SPORTS quarterfinals in straight sets to book a spot in the national semifinals. Set scores were 23-25, 15-25 & 17-25. With the loss, the Gryphons now move to the consolation side of the bracket, and will face the Trinity Western Spartans on Saturday night (March 16) at 6pm, while the Sherbrooke Vert et Or will face the host team, the Queen’s Gaels, on Friday night (March 16) at 6pm in the U SPORTS semifinals. 
 
The Gryphons got off to a strong start in the opening set, going toe-for-toe with Sherbrooke in a tightly contested opening frame. The set would end in controversial fashion from the Gryphons perspective, when a Sherbrooke kill attempt on set point appeared to sail long, only to be ruled as a partial touch on the Gryphons block at the net. Instead of the opening set being tied at 24-24, the call would go the Sherbrooke’s way, giving the Vert et Or a 25-23 win in the opening set. Sherbrooke would not look back from there, producing strong performances in each of the next two sets to seal the win. Leading the way for the Gryphons was two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian, Jonathan Pickett, who recorded a team-high 13.5 points (12 kills, 1 block, 1 service ace) to earn Guelph’s Player of the Game honours. Sherbrooke ended the game with a .400 hitting percentage to Guelph’s .197. They also had five service aces. Yoan David paved the way for the Vert et Or with 15 points from 12 kills, two blocks, and one service ace. First Team All-Canadian Zachary Hollands also added seven points, and five digs. 

The Gryphons will now turn their attention to the Canada West finalists in 2023-24, and the defending U SPORTS champions from 2022-23, in the Trinity Western Spartans (Langley, B.C.). The Gryphons and Spartans will be battling for a spot in Sunday’s 5th-place game. Game time between Guelph and Trinity Western is set for 6pm on Saturday (March 16), and can be seen live online exclusively on CBC’s YouTube channel.
 

STAT LEADERS

Sherbrooke

Kills: Yoan David (12)

Points: Yoan David (15)

Blocks: Julien Vanier (4)

Digs: Gregoire Mercier-Noe (6)

Service aces: Gregoire Mercier-Noe, Julien Vanier, Yoan David, Zachary Hollands, Johnathan Portalance (1
  

Guelph

Kills: Johnathan Pickett (12)

Points: Johnathon Pickett (13.5)

Blocks: Joshua Glasbergen (3)

Digs: Daniel Pickett (7)

Service aces: Johnathan Pickett (1)