Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – The list is short how many MacEwan men's volleyball players were able to say they donned the Maroon and White at both the Canada West and Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference levels.
There is just one left standing.
Shane Kerrison, the last man left from the Griffins' ACAC era, heads into the final two matches of his five-year university career at home this weekend when the Winnipeg Wesmen visit (Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 6:30 p.m., David Atkinson Gym).
Fellow graduating senior Kornel Kowalewski, who has been with the Griffins since 2016 after he transferred in from Fort McMurray's Keyano College, will also be feted as part of the program's Senior Night celebrations on Saturday.
"It was pretty fun," said Kerrison, reflecting on a five-year career that including his rookie season (2013-14) in the ACAC before the Griffins transitioned into Canada West. "It was a big change with the ACAC ball being a little slower. That's pretty cool being the last guy left. It's awesome.
"The transition to (U SPORTS) was pretty sweet, too. It was a big learning curve, of course, but the younger squad we have now is starting to pick it up and get their stuff together. It looks pretty good."
Kerrison has been that big outside hitter that head coach Brad Poplawski has been able to turn to in key moments.
"He kind of saw us go through that process where we were extremely dominant in ACAC and then making the jump and obviously being a building program in Canada West," Poplawski said. "As our team's changed over the years, he's been one of the constants and brought some good energy for us.
"He's a great team guy. The guys all love him. Actually, his game has matured through the years – his level of confidence, the things he can do physically. He came in as a skinny kid with a big arm and he's had to address other parts of his game, and he's worked hard at that."
Kerrison, who is from Sturgeon County, remembers being that kid when he first got to MacEwan in 2013.
"Oh man. I wasn't quite the most athletic player," he said. "I just always had a big arm and could swing at a ball pretty hard. I played left side a couple of years and played right side. There were different roles to take on. It was fun to watch myself grow."
In those roles he had some of the best single-match performances in MacEwan men's volleyball history. Kerrison twice hit 23 kills in a match – tied for the second-best mark by a Griffins player in Canada West play (vs. UBC-Okanagan on Feb. 13, 2016 and last month – Jan. 26 vs. Regina – when he led the Griffins to a 3-2 victory).
"In our four-year Canada West career, some of best moments or wins was him having big nights for us," said Poplawski. "He has that ability when he's on to put up some big numbers."
Kornel Kowalewski, who will finish his university career this weekend, celebrates a point in trademark fashion during a recent match (Chris Piggott photo).
Kowalewski has made a huge impact for the Griffins, too – looming large in the middle. Few players ever get more excited after a point than the 6-foot-8 Poland native. His exuberance is infectious.
"I always tell him he has no bad days, and I don't know if that's stemming from his knee injury where he thought he'd never play again, but he's been that guy – a 'yes coach' and 'what can I do for the team?' whether it's coming off the bench or starting," said Poplawski. "I think his teammates really respect that. I know as a coach I really appreciate that.
"We've tried to tone (his celebrations) down a little bit – the emotional peaks and valleys. But I think that's something he's worked on, too. He's bringing more of the right energy now. It's a guy who loves the sport and you just can't help but smile at that."
Kowalewski overcame cancer in his leg and doctors who said he's never play again to become the old school volleyball warrior that MacEwan has needed.
"My only regret is we couldn't get him here sooner," said Poplawski. "It would have been nice to get him used to the Canada West level as a middle. You dominate with your size at the ACAC level, but coming here, everyone's big. So, he's worked really hard over his two years to become a read blocker and be more efficient offensively, and how to match up against guys his own size.
"I've just loved what he's brought. He's kind of an old-school guy – always working hard, always positive. If he takes a ball off the thumb and he's injured, he just shakes it off … and keeps going. He's a throwback that way."
Senior Night is also an emotional one and Saturday will be no different for the Griffins men's volleyball team, who've become like a family.
"It's always tough when you have guys leave your program," said Poplawski. "My mentor coach always told me that you get to pick who you work with. I agree with that. Every day I'm working with people I've recruited and selected to be here, so it's always tough when you've had a guy for a couple years – five years in Shane's case – and, all of a sudden, they're kind of not with the program any more.
"We talk about being a family and, all of a sudden, this guy isn't around every day anymore. You want to celebrate their careers, but we also have a job to do this weekend. We want to play well and try to do what we can against Winnipeg."
Added Kerrison: "It's going to be a lot of fun. It will be nice to finish off at home, of course. It's been fun – best five years I've had in my life."
