Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Now, that's a step forward.
Looking for a response after opening the season 0-4, MacEwan women's volleyball interim head coach Dusty Freimark got one from her team as they pushed the unbeaten U SPORTS No. 7-ranked UBC Thunderbirds before falling 3-0 on Friday night.
This was no run of the mill straight sets defeat. MacEwan lost 25-20, 25-20 and 25-19 and were right in the mix to the end of them all.
"We battled continuously the first set until 20-20 and UBC just took off," said Freimark. "The second set, we were up 19-13. Our tendency in the past has been to start off slow, dig a hole and crawl back, but we showed a different side. Some of the things we were working on came to light. We just didn't know how to close. I think it was a new experience for them in the sense that 'oh, maybe we CAN win.' "
It goes back to a mindset that Freimark mentioned earlier in the week she's trying to instill in her young team – they have the talent and winning should become their expectation.
For now, though, they'll take an important step in the process, even if it drops their record to 0-5, while UBC moves to 5-0.
"Our talks later on were all about 'OK, it's taken us almost two months to get to here,' " explained Freimark. "I know we expect results overnight, but we're also playing against opponents that have years and years of winning culture. That's something we're trying to attain and it's just going to take us some time to get there.
"It's not that we're quitting, it's that we're being patient in the process, but at the end of the day striving for the wins."
Mariah Bereziuk produced a match-high 13 kills on a sizzling .393 hitting percentage, and added eight digs, as she once again drove the bus for the Griffins.
"Mariah did well," said Freimark. "I've been switching her right side and left side, trying to find the missing puzzle piece and Mariah's just been really consistent and trusting of her coaches.
"I have to give it up to her. She had the most kills on both teams tonight."
Middle Emma Brooks also impressed in her first U SPORTS start, recording six kills on a .308 percentage.
"Emma did a pretty good job today," said Freimark. "She got a starting chance. She's been really working on her game, so it's good to see her in the mix there.
"We just need more from everyone. Mariah can't be the only one that's contributing. We have to find ways to score and find other people on the court who are confident."
UBC was led by Elise Petit (11 kills) and Lucy Borowski (10 kills).
The teams will meet again on Saturday (6 p.m. MT, Canada West TV).
