Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Ending up on the wrong end of a close set cost the Griffins women's volleyball team for a second-straight night on Saturday.
Holding a lead throughout most of the second set, MacEwan was unable to cash in on three set points and fell 29-27.
That would prove to be the difference in momentum that sent the Griffins to a 3-0 loss (25-19, 29-27, 25-22) vs. the Mount Royal University Cougars in their final game of the season.
"I don't know if it's inexperience because we've been in this position too many times to say it's inexperience, so I'm not going to say that," said Griffins interim head coach Dusty Freimark when asked if that led to the result.
The Griffins were in a similar spot on Friday when they had two set points in the opening set but wound up losing it 26-24. It was a repeat of many times this season when the clutch points didn't go their way.
"You've got to be in them to learn," said Freimark. "You've got to not sweep it under the rug and (say) 'next year.' I think the athletes need to do a little self-reflection in terms of what is it we need to do to win those because it's not OK to lose those when you're in it or up, regardless of who's on the other side."
With the result, the Griffins finish the season with a 4-20 record, while the Cougars conclude at 19-5, clinching second in Canada West, which means they will host cross-town rival Calgary in a best-of-three quarter-final series next weekend.
Mariah Bereziuk led MacEwan with 14 kills and eight digs, accounting for 14.0 points, while libero Bronwyn Ettinger had a monster 17 digs in just three sets, four shy of the program's rookie single match record.
"Bron did a really good job digging," said Freimark of why they had success in Set 2. "We got a little bit more patient in the long rallies. I think we kept our focus a little bit more in that set."
Emma Boyd led MRU with 12 kills, two aces, four digs and two blocks, accounting for a match-high 16.0 points. Quinn Pelland had 33 assists and two aces, while Sarah McKillican had 16 digs for the Cougars.
The first set was close until the late points when MRU, aided by some Griffins errors, went on a 5-0 run to take a 24-18 lead, and closed it out their second set-point opportunity when MacEwan's Alyshia Bryks was blocked.
W��| SET 2
— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) February 19, 2023
With a huge block, Sarah McGee caps a 9-1 run for @MacEwanU as they take control of Set 2.
Unfortunately, they were unable to put it away on three set-point opportunities and fall 29-27. @MRUCougars lead 2-0.@CanadaWest #GriffNation pic.twitter.com/sq16kYfxFD
MRU used that momentum to gain a 6-1 lead in Set 2 before MacEwan dramatically went on a 9-1 run to stake a lead they wouldn't relinquish until Pelland's ace gave MRU a 28-27 advantage. Earlier, MacEwan had a service error at 23-20, an attack error at 23-22 and a service error at 25-24, while MRU came through with a big block and a kill to snuff out two other Griffins' set points. Arden Butler's kill attempt hit the antennae to end the set 29-27 for MRU.
Service errors on both sides defined the early going in Set 3 before the Cougars got to 20 first (20-17) and ended it on their second match point when Haley Roe tipped it over the block.
Despite the loss, the season was a solid one of growing for a young Griffins team that will only get better as they get more experience at the Canada West level.
"I'm always proud of this group," said Freimark. "I think they did a really good job recognizing everything they had to learn. There wasn't a day or a practice they weren't willing to learn. And they whole-heartedly bought in to what we're working towards. And I think they've bought in to what it takes to start winning this year.
"I know after yesterday's match; they were mad that they didn't win and that's first sign of not being OK with mediocrity."
W��| SET 1
— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) February 19, 2023
Dana Dunbar records a nice kill from the right side on the final night of her @MacEwanU career.
The Griffins drop the opening set 25-19 to @MRUCougars in @CanadaWest play.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/g34umqvhm7
Saturday's match was also the final one for graduating seniors Dana Dunbar, Megan Foxcroft and Madi Stevens. Only Dunbar played as Foxcroft was injured and Stevens has transitioned to an assistant coach this season after injuries ended her career.
"I think they did a really good job of controlling their emotions," said Freimark of an emotional night that included a pre-game ceremony with their families. "I think Dana did a really good job on the court. Megan was there for her team and that's what she's always been – the support system, the backbone. We're going to miss them.
"It's always hard. We wanted to win for them and for ourselves. Like I mentioned before, it feels like their end, but it's actually the beginning of a new Griffins team."
