Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Adding a fresh recruiting class to last season's solid group that has yet to see action in the Canada West ranks due to the pandemic has created perhaps the deepest pool of talent the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team has ever had.
New recruits – outside hitters Andi Krawec and Kara Frith, who can also plays in the middle – add further talent to a Griffins team that is set for some ultra-competitive practices in determining playing time for the 2021-22 Canada West season.
"Athletically, they're very good recruiting classes," said head coach Ken Briggs. "They have increased our competitiveness and our depth. It's truly going to be a challenge week to week who gets to travel and who gets to dress.
"I think back to the last time we played (in 2019-20), we had that group of seniors and we really struggled to push them on the second side. This year, that depth should help us push the envelope and the learning curve should be a lot quicker."
Krawec comes to the Griffins out of Strathcona high school and has played for both NAVC and Pandas volleyball clubs. She's currently in contention to make Alberta's team for the 2022 Canada Summer Games.
"She's close to 6 feet and jumps very well," said Briggs of the right-side hitter. "Her ability to play above the net, stands out. She can go toe to toe with taller opponents because she touches so high."
Krawec has spent the summer showing leadership by working at Junior Griffins camps. When the team gets on the court later this month, Briggs expects her to compete for playing time right away.
"Right now, we have a very flexible group of athletes on the outside," he said. "This is the best and deepest group of athletes we've ever had, including last year's outsides, so the competition is really going to be amazing. She has a good shot."
Grande Prairie's Kara Frith is a multi-faceted talent at the outside hitter position.
Frith has played both outside and middle in her volleyball journey so far.
"She played provincial team with the rest of our recruits," said Briggs. "She's had that experience. She's an all-around player – passes really well."
The Grande Prairie, Alta. product has been well coached at the South Peace Volleyball Club and brings a lot of potential to the Griffins.
"What's impressed me most is that her back row play is really strong," said Briggs. "She comes from a good club background under Andre Turgeon – one of the most respected coaches in the club program.
"I know she's got a strong technical background and I've been impressed so far."
