Canada West Communications
CALGARY – The drama that is Canada West men's volleyball is set to return for another season of blink-and-you-miss-it action. With rivalries renewed, the country's top teams will begin their battle for the conference title Friday.
Ahead of tip-off for the 2022-23 season, CW coaches have selected Alberta as the favourite to hoist the Costa Chrysanthou Trophy. The team earned 140 points in the poll with eight first-place votes.
The MacEwan Griffins have been ranked 13th ahead of their home opener on Friday vs. Winnipeg (7:30 pm., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
The Trinity Western Spartans finished close behind the Bears with 136 points and four first-place votes.
Rounding out the top three are the UBC Thunderbirds, a team hungry for their first Canada West title since 1986.
It all starts Friday, with a full slate of games. The top three vote-getters will have the energy of their home fans behind them as they look to start their seasons with a bang. For the complete schedule, click here.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL ON CANADA WEST TV
Every men's volleyball game will be available live and on demand this season exclusively on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. To purchase your pass, click here.
2022-23 CW MVB PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- Alberta Golden Bears - 140 (8)
- Trinity Western Spartans - 136 (4)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 116
- Mount Royal Cougars - 100
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 95
- Brandon Bobcats - 84
- Calgary Dinos - 82
- Winnipeg Wesmen - 65
- Manitoba Bisons - 61
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 54
- UBCO Heat - 39
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 28
- MacEwan Griffins - 14
Jefferson Morrow will lead the Griffins into a new Canada West season on Friday (Robert Antoniuk photo).
MacEWAN GRIFFINS PREVIEW
2021-22 CW regular season record: 1-17/ 4th in CW Central
2021-22 post-season record: Missed playoffs
Head Coach: Brad Poplawski, 12th season / 17-141 CW regular season record
Last CW championship / total CW championships: None
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: None
2021/22 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 12.3 points/set – 12th
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Hits: 169 – Alexei Walisser, Outside Hitter
Assists: 440 – Alexander Lyndon, Setter
Digs: 103 – Jefferson Morrow, Outside Hitter
Blocks: 32 – Jonah Karsten, Middle
Hitting percentage: .328, Carsten Bergeron, Middle
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Seth Birkholz / Middle / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Strathcona
Nicholas Jabusch / Outside Hitter / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Ambrose University
Carter McDonald / Middle/Outside Hitter / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Strathcona
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Ethan Nashim / Outside Hitter / Lac La Biche, AB / 1
Mark Alexander / Middle / Edmonton, AB / 5
Tyler Jodoin / Outside Hitter / St. Lina, AB / 5
Key performer (pictured above):
Jefferson Morrow
Outside Hitter
3rd Year
Wynnum, AUS
2021-22 Stats: 153/18/103/20/.148/7 (Hits/Assists/Digs/Blocks/Hitting percentage/Aces)
Back for a third season with the Griffins, the team's reigning MVP from 2021-22 will look to take on even more of a leadership role this season.
Morrow was the best overall player on the Griffins last season with a strong combination of attacking, blocking and defending.
One of 13 returning players from 2021-22, Morrow is aiming to lead the group to the playoffs for the first time since the program joined Canada West in 2017.
