GUELPH, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphons men's volleyball team dropped 3-1 to the visiting McMaster Marauders.  The loss puts the Gryphons at 3-10 on the season while keeps the Marauders' streak alive for their 13th to go 13-0.  Set scores were 26-24, 22-25, 17-25 and 17-25.
 
Winston Rosser (Whitby, Ont.) led all point getters tonight with 18 (15 kills, 2 aces, 1 block). Rookie Timothy Warnholtz (Guelph, ON) also tallied an impressive performance with 15 kills.
 
The first set got off to a shaky start with both teams swapping control of the scoreboard until the Marauders were finally able to pull ahead by two at 10-8.  However, the Gryphon pressure at the net remained persistent to keep the set within reach.  And, with the combined blocking forces of Phillip Wessel (Cambridge, ON) and Kyle Richards (London, ON) the Gryphons were able to set Winston Rosser up for six kills in the first to regain their lead at 18-17.  The Gryphons were able to stretch their lead to three as the set entered its final stages with the Gryphons ahead 22-19.  But a final surge from McMaster tied the game at 24 to force the advantage but Guelph held on to claim the first set 26-24.
 
The Marauders came out in the second intent to fix earlier mistakes as they charged ahead to take an early 8-5 lead.  As the Marauders marched slowly ahead on the scoreboard to extend their lead, attacks from Andrew Whitaker (Sharon, ON) and Timothy Warnholtz swayed the momentum in Guelph's favour to once again enter the technical timeout behind by one.  The Gryphons were able to tie the game at 17 with kill from Marc Wilson (Stratford, ON).  However, the Marauders were able to re-establish their control of the court to take the second 25-22.
 
After a tight second set, the Gryphons came out slow in the third to let the Marauders mount an early 8-1 lead.  Despite facing their largest deficit thus far on the night, the Gryphons refused to let up as Whitaker revitalized the Gryphon offence with consecutive kills to bring the game to within six.  However, the last minute effort could not reign in the Marauder's momentum who were able to push through to take their second set with a 25-17 win in the third.
 
The Gryphons re-established their earlier momentum but were unable to piece together a consistent streak as the lead was exchanged sporadically throughout the opening stages.  However, Tyson Alexander was able to piece together consecutive kills to ignite the offensive rhythm to pitch forward 16-12.  Determined to push the game to five, the Gryphons were able to match the Marauders'  intensity for the remainder of the set but were unable to close the gap as the Marauders' sealed the night with a 25-17 win in the fourth.
 
The Gryphons next travel to Toronto to take on the Ryerson Rams.  The game is scheduled for 8:00 pm on January 26.