Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
SASKATOON, Sask. – Uncertainty and hesitation defined the Griffins as they got off to a slow start, dropping the first two sets against the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night.
Confidence suddenly showed up in the third set, propelling them back into the match, but it wasn't enough to secure more than that as MacEwan lost 3-1 (25-14, 25-16, 22-25, 25-16) in Canada West women's volleyball action.
With the result, the Griffins are now 0-3 in the standings, while the Huskies improve to 1-2.
"We're still talking about playing with our passion and playing with fire and playing with courage and not allowing teams to dictate what's coming at us," said Griffins interim head coach Dusty Freimark. "We have to put more pressure on them.
"The first two sets, there was no fire, there was no passion. There was uncertainty and hesitation. Whereas in the third set, they just decided 'what's the worst that can happen? You lose? Because that's what's happening.' "
It's almost a mirror result of the team's home-opening weekend vs. Winnipeg where they were a nervous wreck in Friday's 3-0 loss before showing off some moxie and glimpses of their potential in a 3-1 defeat Saturday. Except this was all in one match.
"It's a mindset right now that we're working on," said Freimark. "It needs to be there from the get-go."
A positive for the Griffins was the play of Mariah Bereziuk, who led the team with a match-high 14 kills, adding 11 digs.
"Mariah stood out for us," said Freimark. "She was definitely our leader out on the court. She wanted to attack the ball, she wanted to have a presence."
If more Griffins would follow her lead, the team might have a chance at success in Saturday's rematch (5 p.m., Canada West TV) against a Huskies team they are capable of beating.
"I know that; it's just the belief of the athletes knowing that," said Freimark. "We're working on having courage and passion and confidence.
"Tomorrow's just another opportunity to work on what we need to work on, so when January rolls around we're doing what we need to do. We just have to find some ways to get some wins right now."
