Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Non-playoff teams from a year ago, it's fair to say both MacEwan and Saskatchewan women's volleyball teams turned some heads in the first semester.
After rattling off 8-4 records in the first half of the Canada West season, the rivals currently share fourth place in the standings.
They resume second semester action against one another this weekend when the Griffins visit the Huskies on Friday (5 p.m. MT) and Saturday (2 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
"They're a good solid team and they've had a good start," said MacEwan head coach Ken Briggs. "They're going to come in with some confidence playing at home. Home games in this second half are worth gold.
"We're looking forward to the challenge. The girls have the right attitude. They feel really good with where we're at."
MacEwan enters the weekend series on a six-game winning streak in conference play and the challenge will be to pick right back up at that high level that allowed them to sweep Calgary, Brandon and Manitoba on the final three weekends of the first semester.
"It is a fresh slate, but you count on the experience you gained, and not just the experience from the fall," said Briggs. "We both have two teams that have an experienced group of kids that have played in this league. That's what you hope they rely on. That's all we've talked about – just staying consistent. We know how tough it is to win in somebody else's gym."
Sharpening up for the second half, the Griffins competed in a holiday tournament last weekend at the Saville Centre where they beat Regina 3-1 and UAlberta-Augustana 3-0 before falling in a tooth-and-nail match against host Alberta 3-2 (25-18, 13-25, 25-22, 14-25, 15-9).
"It was really good because we had one practice and then played those three games," said Briggs. "We played well. We lost in five on Sunday to U of A, but it was a great game. We played really well. I know they've practiced all through the holidays, so I felt pretty good. That one match was worth a week of training."
Which will come in handy against a Huskies team that is strong all over the court. Few teams can match the Griffins' dynamic duo of Mckenna Stevenson and Haley Gilfillan in the middle, but the Huskies will present a challenge with 6-foot-2 middle Mandi Fraser.
"We've put in a good week this week and we're looking forward to the challenge," said Briggs. "Saskatchewan had a really good first semester. They're a real veteran team which has potentially one of the best middles in the league, too."
