Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – The success the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team enjoyed last season – earning a home playoff series for the first time since joining Canada West in 2014 behind U SPORTS coach of the year Ken Briggs – has led to a residual effect.
The program's newfound cachet led to a big recruiting year for a Griffins team aiming to replace the production of impactful graduating senior starters Haley Gilfillan, Mckenna Stevenson, Lauren Holmes and Hailey Cornelis.
Head coach Ken Briggs targeted promising high school outside hitters and he got his wish, adding five of them, including three from just outside the Edmonton area – Alyshia Bryks (Science) of Andrew, AB, Danielle Jodoin (Science) of Spruce Grove, and Rachel Perry (Arts) from Grande Prairie.
"We knew this was a big recruiting class for us," he said. "It would have been great if it happened two years ago and they could have developed and learned from those seniors. But I see a lot of similarities.
"We have the ability now that we've been around for a few years to get a couple more top recruits. I just think the program's evolution has gotten us to this point. It's hard to replace those four (seniors), but we're replacing them with six or seven athletes of that same potential. Now we'll see where it goes."
Specifically on the outside, Bryks, Jodoin, Perry and previously announced recruit Erika Bolink (Read about her here) have the potential to grow into a force at the Canada West level.
"This group of outsides is a real upgrade for us," said Briggs. "If all four turn out, it's going to be awesome. This group's going to build together. It's an outstanding group with much more size (than we've had). Alyshia's 5-11, Dani's 6-foot and Rachel's 6-foot-1. We're finally getting the size now."
Bryks played her way from a small 1A high school (Lamont) to prominence on the provincial team and for NAVC and Nooks clubs. In a way, she mirrors the path of small school standouts Stevenson and Cornelis who went on to terrific Canada West careers despite being underrated recruits.
"Mckenna and Hailey, those girls came from small communities and blossomed when they were given an opportunity," noted Briggs. "Alyshia's going to get that opportunity, too. She has a big arm, probably the biggest of the group coming in.
"In the last three years, she's played in the city and practiced in the city, so she's used to a highly competitive environment."
Danielle Jodoin's talent has been ascending for the past two years, giving rise to her becoming a potential Canada West impact player for the Griffins (photo supplied).
Jodoin, a product of the 3A St. Peter the Apostle Spartans, played with Bryks on the Nooks club after also spending time with NAVC. Briggs is excited with her current developmental path after making an impact on the Alberta team.
"She's developed immensely in her last two years. Small town girl finally makes the provincial team and is willing to just train and develop past kids who had more success earlier. Once she got exposed to a higher level of ball, she's just gotten better and better."
Pair her ability to play multiple positions with her work ethic and Jodoin has lots of potential at the Canada West level.
"She's played left and right side, as well as middle, so she has some versatility," said Briggs. "She has really strong academics and puts in the work. She's physically strong and has a tremendous work ethic."
Grande Prairie's Rachel Perry brings huge upside to the Griffins as a 6-foot-1 outside hitter (photo supplied).
Before coming to MacEwan in 2002, Briggs was an assistant coach with the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves. His connections to the area remain strong, which leads to how Perry ended up choosing MacEwan.
"Her dad remembered me – he's an athlete," noted Briggs. "That helped, for sure. The guy that took us out to meet each other for the first time is Ron Thomson, who is a legendary coach in Grande Prairie. He was coaching her the last couple of years."
The product of Charles Spencer high school won a provincial championship with the Wolves club program. She brings big-time size to the outside hitter position at 6-foot-1.
"She's probably considered to be the best hitter coming out of Grande Prairie," said Briggs.
"She has good size. She's a little hard on herself, so it's going to take some time for her to reach her potential. But her upside is big.
"The four outsides all have great arms and experience. It's just who picks up and goes to the next level. They all have that potential and Rachel's right in there for sure."
