Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — The MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team keep taking steps forward, but this is a loss that will certainly leave a bad taste in their mouths.
The Griffins won the first two sets against the University of Calgary Dinos, but fell in heartbreaking fashion in a five-set marathon (26-24, 25-22, 21-25, 13-25, 12-15), Friday night at David Atkinson gymnasium.
Third-year outside hitter Mariah Bereziuk led the Griffins with 13 kills, while second-year middle Sarah McGee had 11 kills. Second-year outside hitter Aden Butler added 10 kills and 16 digs, while second-year setter Payton Shimoda recorded a season-high 41 assists in the loss.
First-year outside hitter Daisy Olsen led the Dinos with 15 kills and 10 digs, while second-year outside hitter Sammi Boag had 12 kills and nine digs.
MacEwan falls to 0-7 this season, while the Dinos improve to 4-3.
"We went five sets for the first time this year, and it was against a real good team, and that's an accomplishment, but it's nothing we can be satisfied with," said Griffins interim head coach Dusty Freimark.
"We've been talking about being competitive, and we were tonight, but in the third and fourth sets, there were just too many runs that we gave the Dinos.
"We knew they were going to be an aggressive team, and when you give them a lead, it's hard to come back from it, but our girls didn't quit."
The Griffins fell down early in the opening set, falling behind 11-4, before Freimark called a timeout. Whatever was said, resonated with the Griffins as they came back from the timeout on fire, going on a 12-4 run of their own to take a 16-15 lead.
They wouldn't relinquish the lead the rest of the way, and took the opening set win.
Their strong play continued as they came out firing in the second set, jumping out to a 7-1 lead, thanks to two service aces from Shimoda and McGee, and the Griffins held the lead the entire second set.
Despite being down two sets, the Dinos didn't seem to waver.
"The first two sets were so solid. Everything was clicking and we were super aggressive, but in the third and fourth set, the Dinos got a bit of a lead on us, and they showed more of a presence and got us on our heels more," said McGee.
"We weren't picking up their tips as quickly, and they're such a good serving team, and they just go for it. We passed well, but at times I think we got too eager and we wanted to score points so fast.
"We just had too many unforced errors in the third and fourth set."
The Dinos controlled the play and tempo in the third set as they took an early 4-3 lead, and were able to push back all of the Griffins comeback attempts.
They went on a 5-0 run to make it 9-3, and another couple solid runs just kept the Griffins out of reach in the close set.
The Dinos dominated the fourth set. After two big blocks from Evelyn Kath and Mya Sheridan gave Calgary a 6-4 lead, they went on a 13-5 run, and the Griffins weren't able to recover.
Offensively, everything was clicking for the Dinos, as they had 10 kills in the fourth set, and no attacking errors.
The fifth set went right down to the wire as both teams were tied at 11-11, but the Dinos were able to squeak out the win.
"We talk about being competitive and leaving our heart on the floor and not worrying about the outcome, and think the girls are doing a good job with that. They're focusing on each point, and first contact and they've bought in, but now we have to finish it off," said Friemark.
"That fifth set was a battle. I'm super proud of the girls battling and staying aggressive. Our defence was better than it's been all year. There are just a few things we have to clean up.
"This is a game we can learn a lot from. We will talk about what we should've done differently, and the girls will have some ghosts they'll have to admit to, but we're not going to sweep anything under the rug. We're going to come out tomorrow and battle again."
NEXT UP: Both teams will finish their weekend series Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
