Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – While the score doesn't show it – another straight-sets defeat to the Alberta Pandas – the young Griffins women's volleyball team took a step in their development on Friday night.

They certainly gave the U SPORTS No. 1-ranked Pandas a little more of a fight than they did a month ago, especially in the third set as they fell 25-14, 25-12, 30-28.

"We pushed them all three sets," said head coach Ken Briggs. "We just faltered in the middle of the first two and then had to play catch up. We played very well. It's an improvement from last weekend."

The Griffins actually should have won the third set, holding a 24-21 lead, but they couldn't close it out and lost an eventual marathon.

"We had that lead in the third set," said Briggs. "Just in the end, we made a few more mistakes. We forced them into some mistakes, too. It was positive. We had some good performances.

"We're learning and kicking and it was awesome to watch. They're seeing everything we prepared for and practice is starting to make sense now."

Rookie setter Payton Shimoda stood out for the Griffins in a solid performance with 22 assists, an ace and seven digs.

"I thought she really made good choices," said Briggs. "She gave us a chance."

Erica Bolink led the Griffins with nine kills, while Rachel Perry had seven.

"Our outsides just kept improving and improving," said Briggs. "Our liberos were solid. Our middles, again. They're close. They do a lot of really good things."

With the result, the Griffins fall to 0-7, while the Pandas improve to 7-0.

The teams will meet again on Saturday (6:30 p.m., Saville Centre, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).