Three Stars: Gorman, Majeau, Murray earn honours

Mitch Gorman prepares to serve against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna, B.C. last Friday (Will Thompson photo).
Mitch Gorman prepares to serve against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna, B.C. last Friday (Will Thompson photo).

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Men's volleyball student-athlete Mitchel Gorman is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after his performance in helping the Griffins net a weekend split at UBC Okanagan.

While he produced solid numbers across both nights, Gorman's performance in Friday's 3-0 win really stood out, in particular, as he recorded a .524 hitting percentage – the fourth-most efficient attacking game in the program's Canada West history (minimum 20 attempts).

Women's basketball post Shannon Majeau and women's hockey forward Amanda Murray are the second and third stars, respectively.

It's the second-straight week Gorman has made the Three Stars list, following being named second star on Feb. 7.

Majeau is also being honoured for the second time this season, following a first-star nod on Dec. 6.

Murray makes the list for the first time this season.

1st STAR: Mitch Gorman, OH/LB, men's volleyball

Grande Prairie, AB, second-year, Music

The second-year outside hitter continued his strong second semester play by filling the stats sheet and leading the Griffins to a weekend split against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna, B.C.

In Friday's 3-0 win, Gorman produced 13 kills on a .524 hitting percentage (the fourth-best in a single match since MacEwan joined Canada West in 2014), adding six digs and accounting for 13.0 points.

In Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Heat, Gorman had 16 kills on a .222 percentage, adding two service aces and three blocks, while accounting for a match-high 19.5 points.

For the season, Gorman is third on the Griffins in kills (99), third in digs (94) and fourth in points (114.0).

Gorman and the Griffins will close out the Canada West season this weekend by hosting Mount Royal University on Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV). 

Shannon Majeau produced 31 points and 13 rebounds in two games against the Regina Cougars on the weekend (Eduardo Perez photo).

2nd STAR: Shannon Majeau, P, women's basketball

Spruce Grove, AB, fifth-year, Science

Playing in the final two games of her six-year career with the Griffins, Majeau stepped up and carried the Griffins against the Regina Cougars.

In Friday's 89-63 loss, Majeau scored a team-high 18 points, adding five rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes on the court for a team with just seven healthy players in the lineup.

In Saturday's 72-51 defeat, she led the Griffins with 13 points, adding eight rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes.

The latter came after Majeau and fellow graduating senior Mackenzie Farmer were honoured in a pre-game ceremony for Senior Night.

Majeau finished the season second on the Griffins in points (193), second in rebounds (125), third in steals (16) and third in blocks (10).

For her career, Majeau sits third in the program's Canada West regular season history in minutes played (2,278), fifth in points (673), second in rebounds (428), fifth in blocks (21), and third in free throws (171).

 Amanda Murray finished her Griffins career on the weekend with an assist and a +1 rating in two games against the Calgary Dinos (Joel Kingston photo).

3rd STAR: Amanda Murray, F, women's hockey

Edmonton, AB, fifth-year, Arts

In the final weekend of her university career, Murray led the effort for the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team in a series against the Calgary Dinos.

With her usual relentless forechecking, strong work ethic and two-way play, the assistant captain finished off a five-year run with the Griffins on a strong note.

In Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Dinos in Calgary, Murray picked up an assist on Jennifer Andrash's opening goal, and co-led the Griffins in plus/minus (+1), adding one shot.

In Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Dinos at home, Murray also had a shot and used her strong defensive play to help keep MacEwan in the game on Senior Night where she was one of five graduates honoured pre-game.

For the season, Murray finished with two goals and five points in 19 games.

For her career, Murray sits tied for ninth in program history in career regular season games (109), seventh in goals (24), is tied for sixth in powerplay goals (7) and sits third in penalty minutes (111).