Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – In one season as interim head coach of the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team, Dusty Freimark left her mark on the program.
Bringing a culture of excellence and winning habits, she left an impression that will only serve to make the returning members of the roster better prepared to push for a playoff berth in 2023-24.
Last week, she let the team know she won't be applying for the recently posted permanent full-time head coach position, instead returning to her career as assistant principal at Jasper Place high school.
"I think that my strength is creating strong women who are confident and believe in themselves," said Freimark, who guided a young Griffins team to a 4-20 record during the 2022-23 Canada West season. "I think that's what I'll be leaving with these athletes.
"Regardless of who takes over, I know they'll carry that piece with them as they move forward. Now, it's just up to them to maintain that standard that we started."
Freimark took over a team coming off their first year of a rebuild cycle – a 1-17 season in 2021-22 with 15 rookies on the roster.
By the end of the 2022-23 campaign, they were challenging everyone, sweeping Thompson Rivers, and pushing playoff squad UBC Okanagan to five set marathons on back-to-back nights.
Dusty Freimark offers some instruction to her players during a timeout against UFV on Jan. 14 (Robert Antoniuk photo).
"It was exciting, it was challenging, it was growing," said Freimark of landing a bench boss job in U SPORTS for the first time in her lengthy volleyball coaching career. "I think being a part of U SPORTS and, especially Canada West, it's almost surreal because (you're part of) one of the best programs in the country. So, when you first get the job, it's like 'do I actually know what I'm doing?'
"It was really daunting almost to think 'what am I doing here?' As the season went on, I fell in love with the girls. They were so committed, so dedicated; they really just wanted to learn and grow and challenge themselves and be competitive and earn their spot in Canada West. That made the challenging part of almost having two full-time jobs (Jasper Place and MacEwan).
"You never have a weekend where you feel like 'I can take a break.' So, it took me a while to believe that I belonged, but I do believe that I belonged. The athletes belong.
"So, it's incredibly hard to not return and see where this group can go because I truly believe that making playoffs next year is in their sights."
In addition to her Jasper Place duties, Freimark plans to continue as a volleyball coach in some capacity, perhaps working with her daughters' 12U and 9U teams. She also plans to find her way back to the David Atkinson Gym as the Griffins push for a post-season berth in 2023-24.
"I'll be back in the stands supporting these athletes, just to see where they can go," she said.
"I wholeheartedly want the best for these athletes, and I'll be there along for the ride to see where they can go. I just want them to keep moving forward."
