WVB: Gryphons Fall Just Short Versus Waterloo in Five-Set Thriller in First Game Back Following Layoff

GUELPH, Ont. – OUA women’s volleyball action finally returned to the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre on Thursday night (Feb. 10) following a lengthy layoff. Playing in their first OUA regular season action in two and a half months, with the team’s last league game coming on November 27, 2021, the Gryphons women’s volleyball team finally resumed their regular season schedule as they welcomed the Waterloo Warriors to U of G campus. Over 300 fans were in attendance at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre, and were treated to a thrilling five-set match, with Waterloo ultimately edging the Gryphons 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 18-25 & 12-15. With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 0-5 on the season, while the Warriors improve to 3-3.

“Our team was thankful to be back competing once again, with a newfound appreciation for what it means to have the chance to be a Gryphon,” said Paul Funk, now in his 17th season as head coach of the Gryphons women’s volleyball team. “Following a two-month layoff, and with a limited number of practices available to us leading up to this return, our team executed at a higher level than what we were expecting and really put forward an effort they should be proud of.”

Playing in what was just their second home game of the 2021-22 regular season, the Gryphons received several standout performances on the night, with rookie outside hitter Sophie Fernback (Vancouver, BC) recording a team-high 15 kills. Noa Pijl, a 6-2 outside hitter now in her fourth-year with the Gryphons women’s volleyball team, added 11 kills while also helping lead the Gryphons defensively. Fifth-year setter Alex Curran (Aurora, ON) once again showed why she is considered one of the top players in the country at her position, racking up 36 assists on the night to help anchor a balanced Gryphon attack. After splitting the first four sets, the Gryphons looked poised to claim their first win of the 2021-22 season after taking a 10-8 lead in the fifth and final set. The visiting Warriors would rally late, however, winning seven of the next 12 points to take the fifth set 15-12, and the match 3-sets-to-2.

The Gryphons (0-5) playoff hopes are still very much alive, with eight games remaining in their regular season schedule and the top five teams from the OUA West standings earning a playoff spot. The Gryphons will complete a home-and-home matchup with the Warriors (3-3) on Saturday (Feb. 12) as they head to the University of Waterloo for a 1pm game on Saturday afternoon.

🏐WVB HIGHLIGHT: Lisa Wedel rises up and comes down with the rejection at the net! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/YiMLxvOnEI

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 10, 2022

🏐WVB HIGHLIGHT: Great Gryphon defence keeping the point alive as Sophie Fernback not only finds a way to keep this ball in play, she gets a point out of it! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/gy1khxili2

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 11, 2022

🏐WVB HIGHLIGHT: Another great defensive effort from the Gryphons keeping this rally going before Sophie Fernback finishes it off with the rejection at the net! #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/0PryzLAuEs

— Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) February 11, 2022