Weekend Preview: MVB hosts UFV, while basketball teams travel to Regina
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – The David Atkinson Gym will see its first action of 2025 this weekend when the UFV Cascades visit for a weekend series against the Griffins.
It marks only the second time the Cascades have played at MacEwan since joining Canada West in 2021, but the teams have a history that goes back a long time to their ACAC/PacWest days.
The 2008-09 MacEwan national championship team, which will be in attendance as they're inducted into the Griffins' Wall of Distinction following the game, can attest to that; they beat the Cascades in the CCAA semifinals that year, en route to a banner.
READ MORE ABOUT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT HERE
"I was at U of A at that time (as an assistant coach) and we won nationals that year, too," said Griffins head coach Brad Poplawski. "So, we had a double nationals (celebration) in Edmonton that year – the heartbeat of volleyball in Canada that year was kind of the joke.
"I'm really excited for those guys. Some of them have been on my staff in year's past, so they stuck around as very proud alumni. I know they're very excited to get honoured. As it goes with those things, I'm sure they'll be telling lots of stories and there will be lots of laughs for that group. I'm happy they get to be recognized for what was a pretty massive accomplishment."
Both Griffins basketball teams hit the road this weekend for matches at the Regina Cougars with Saturday night's men's game (7 p.m. MT) slated as the Canada West game of the week for CBC Sports. Stream for free on CBC Gem and CBC Sports.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
On Tap
Friday: vs. UFV, 5 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV
Saturday: vs. UFV, 2 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV
Standings
MacEwan: 0-10 – 13th
UFV: 2-8 – T10th
Last meeting
Nov. 4, 2023: MacEwan 0 at UFV 3
Last game
Nov. 30: MacEwan 0 at UBC 3
Nov. 23: UFV 0 at UBC Okanagan 3
Brad Poplawski's coach's quote:
"We talked all first semester about how it was a marathon. You have a month and a half and all sorts of preseason before league starts, whereas second semester is a sprint. You're right into it. We've stressed all year where the second half goes quick, and we have to get into it. I've been happy with the level of training from the guys.
"Every team in Canada West is so good, but when you look at our first half schedule, it was statistically the toughest in the country. We've been battle-tested that way against some of the big dogs. I thought we learned lessons from it and now it's a chance to apply them. We talked how losses are only losses if we don't learn from them. Hopefully we'll be able to apply those lessons (this weekend)."
Players to watch
MacEwan: Daylan Laszlo – The rookie's hometown of Chilliwack is a short drive from Abbotsford-based UFV, so he surely has lots of connections on the other side of the court, most notably rookie Hudson Brandsma whom he played with on the Junior Cascades. Laszlo, the talented 6-foot-7 outside has shown some promise in limited action coming off the bench this season as he gets acclimated to the Canada West level.
UFV: Nimo Benne – The 6-foot-9 Dutch left side, now in his fifth year of eligibility after also previously playing for Thompson Rivers University, has long been one of the top power hitters in Canada West. In fact, he's been in the conference so long that he went head to head with former Griffins superstar Max Vriend during a 2019-20 match at David Atkinson Gym in the latter's final season. Benne, playing for TRU at the time, was named Canada West rookie of the year that season.
Samantha Hickey, seen grabbing a rebound against Brandon on Nov. 30 is third in Canada West in both rebounds/game and blocks/game (James Maclennan photo).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
On Tap
Friday: at Regina, 5 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Saturday: at Regina, 5 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Standings
MacEwan: 0-8 – 10th Prairie Division
Regina: 8-2 – 1st Prairie Division
Last meeting
Feb. 11, 2023: Regina 72 at MacEwan 51
Last game
Nov. 30: Brandon 72 at MacEwan 68
Nov. 29: Regina 45 at Mount Royal 79
Katherine Adams' coach's quote:
"It's certainly been a long break from the last games we played, and it feels like it's a week later getting back to things than we normally are, but you do what you can, you keep training. We found a couple scrimmages over the break to keep us in that game play mode. We keep working on things. We're excited to get back at it, for sure.
"I think some of the positive things we took from (our last) weekend have carried over. The motivation and desire to keep growing and getting better is certainly alive and well. It's been nice to take a step away and have a bit of a breather over the break, but easy to get back into it and try to pick up where we left off."
Players to watch
MacEwan: Samantha Hickey – In just her second university season, the Edmontonian has already established herself as one of the top inside players in the conference, sitting third in Canada West in rebounds/game (9.1) and third in blocks/game (1.5). She's coming off a big performance in the Griffins' final game before the Christmas break with 13 points, 10 boards, five assists and four blocks in a narrow loss to Brandon Nov. 30.
Regina: Jade Belmore – Canada West's leading scorer will certainly be a focal point for the Griffins' defence this weekend. The 5-foot-10 fourth-year wing is averaging 17.9 points/game, which is just adding to an already stacked university resume that most notably includes being named the Canada West player of the year in 2023-24.
Senior transfer Jordon Fullerton has only played three games this season due to injuries, but is healthy now and ready to play a big part in the Griffins' fortunes at Regina this weekend (Gerard Murray photo).
MEN'S BASKETBALL
On Tap
Friday: at Regina, 7 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Saturday: at Regina, 7 p.m. MT, CBC Gem, CBC Sports, Canada West TV
Standings
MacEwan: 1-7 – 9th Prairie Division
Regina: 5-5 – 6th Prairie Division
Last meeting
Feb. 11, 2023: Regina 96 at MacEwan 82
Last game
Nov. 30: Brandon 88 at MacEwan 90
Nov. 29: Regina 71 at Mount Royal 75
Mike Connolly's coach's quote
"We need to defend and get back in transition. They are an explosive team who can score. We will have to be determined in our focus. We are finally getting guys healthy like Jordon Fullerton and Justace Byam, who will add to our depth and experience on the court. We have gotten healthy over the break and used last weekend's (non-conference) games to get guys back in the rhythm of the game."
Players to watch
MacEwan: Jordon Fullerton – The fifth-year transfer from the University of Windsor is back healthy again after missing five of MacEwan's eight first semester games. He was heating up before the semester break with 14 points on Nov. 29 vs. Brandon and is set to bring a strong veteran presence to the court for the Griffins this weekend.
Regina: Cade Mather – The second-year guard is among the top ballhawks in Canada West, currently averaging 2.3 steals/game (tied for third in the conference). At 6-foot-5, he has the ability to impact the game in multiple ways from an outside position.
