WVB RECAP: Gryphons Season Ends in OUA Quarterfinals in Loss to No. 9-ranked McMaster

HAMILTON, Ont. – A successful 2023-24 season for the Guelph Gryphons women’s volleyball team officially came to an end on Saturday night (Feb. 24) at McMaster’s Burridge Gymnasium, where the Gryphons suffered a straight sets loss to the No. 9-nationally ranked McMaster Marauders in OUA quarterfinal action. Set scores were 25-6, 25-13 & 25-17 in favour of the Marauders, who move on to the OUA semifinal stage with the victory. McMaster will also compete at the national championship tournament in mid-March, as hosts of the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championships. 

For the Gryphons, the trip to Hamilton to face off against one of the top teams in the country was well-earned, with Guelph putting together a strong regular season, posting a record of 12-8 to finish as the No. 6-seed in the 14-team OUA standings. Standing in the way of the Gryphons OUA semifinal hopes, was a talented Marauders team, who entered the postseason as the No. 3-seed in the OUA after posting a 15-5 record during the regular season. The Gryphons dropped both regular season meetings with McMaster, and on Saturday night, were unable to flip the script, with the Marauders getting off to a dominant start in the opening set and never looking back. 

The Marauders will now head to Kingston for an OUA semifinal matchup with the OUA’s No. 2-seeded, Queen’s Gaels. Game time is set for Friday, March 1 at 6pm in Kingston, with TMU and Brock meeting in the other OUA semifinal.