Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – An obvious theme in MacEwan men's volleyball head coach Brad Poplawski's recruiting class?

They're all outside hitters.

Just three players at the position remain since the Griffins were last on the court pre-pandemic in 2020, so Poplawski went out and addressed his depth, adding five more outsides over the off-season.

Ethan Nashim, Owen Johnson, Daylan Andison, Aidan McLennan and Nolan Pearce are looking to carve out roles for themselves this season.

They join two other outsides – 2020-21 recruiting class members Alexei Walliser and Mason Moore – who also have yet to see their first action with the Griffins, and veteran returnees Jefferson Morrow, Olamide Ajayi and Tyler Jodoin in competition for playing time in 2021-22.

With back-to-back recruiting classes all looking for the first action of their Canada West careers, it's a unique situation for the squad.

"Obviously, we've thought a lot about this, so I've really engaged my leadership group throughout this summer and over the pandemic," said Poplawski, who has held regular Zoom meetings with his team as they acclimate the new players into the culture of the program.

"The impetus behind that was from my leadership group. They saw the roster and how young we were going to be. They wanted to help these young athletes get off on the best foot possible."

That's important for not only short-term success but for everything the program is aiming to build over the next few years. And the 2021-22 recruiting class is a promising one.

Nashim is the veteran of the group, transferring in from Grande Prairie Regional College where he recorded 347 kills in 51 matches over three Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference seasons from 2017-20.

Poplawski tried recruiting the 6-foot-4 left-handed right side two years ago when the Griffins trained with the Wolves at Christmas, but it didn't work with his academics at the time. Now it does.

"He's a really good athlete, jumps really well and has a fast arm," said Poplawski. "He's been coming to the open gyms and looking really good.

"He's a guy who has some experience; he's going into his fourth year of eligibility. I think with the makeup of our team – we're quite young. I think 10 of our team this year are first-years, as far as eligibility. To bring a veteran guy in that's played, definitely helps."

Owen Johnson played the setter position in high school, but will also train as an outside hitter at MacEwan.

Johnson comes out of the Nooks volleyball club and Ross Sheppard high school, and brings necessary length to the position at 6-foot-5. He can also play at the setter spot.

"He has good size, good length, he's versatile – can play a couple different positions for us," said Poplawski. "He's a setter, but is going to train a little bit as an outside. So, he'll bring some versatility for us."

Daylan Andison has solid vertical at the left side position.

Andison, a 6-foot-3 left side, comes out of Strathcona and the NAVC club program.

"He has a good jump with a fast arm," said Poplawski. "I saw him in club and was really impressed. He's developed a lot between his Grade 11 and 12 year. Even with the lack of training (opportunities), he's come a long way.

"Again, he's a really athletic player with a really good serve. He's a guy I'm really excited to work with – just a really good athlete."

Lloydminster's Aidan McLennan is a solid ball control player, fitting well with what the Griffins want to do.

McLennan checks in at 6-foot-4 and has been seasoned by extra training in his hometown – the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster – where restrictions were more relaxed during the pandemic.

"With different regulations, he was able to get a bit more training in last year than maybe some of the athletes," said Poplawski. "He's another kid with good ball control. He's just another guy who fits what we're trying to do. We want to be a good ball control team with guys who bring good offence. He has a very well-rounded skill set."

Nolan Pearce adds more talent to MacEwan's pool of outside hitters.

Sherwood Park native Pearce – who stands 6-foot-3 – is also coming out of the NAVC club program.

"He's another guy with decent size and good ball control," said Poplawski. "He fits in with our program and the kind of offence we want to run. He's an outside that's able to bring some offence for us.

"It's tough, I haven't been able to see these guys much," he added. "We're just going off some video and we've had some open gyms that some guys have come to."

Getting his team back in the gym this week allows Poplawski to assess where everyone is at as they prepare for their preseason opener at the Dino Cup tournament Sept. 24-25.

"Coming off such a long break, I don't think we can just jump in full," he said. "Guys are going to be coming from different levels of training and preparedness.

"I think we're going to have to have a pitch count on things to just make sure we're physically ready for the demands of our sport. There are a lot of moving parts to it and we're trying to do everything we can to get our guys ready for it."