Canada West Communications
EDMONTON – Coaches were split between five different teams in their first-place votes for who they think will come out on top of the Canada West women's volleyball ranks this season.
UFV, Alberta, UBC, Manitoba and Trinity Western all received at least one first place vote in a poll that was ultimately topped by UFV with 153 points.
Manitoba (143), UBC (141), Alberta (137) and TWU (116) rounded out the top five.
MacEwan received 39 points in the voting, which is good for 12th in Coaches Poll.
The Griffins will open the season on Friday at the University of Calgary, who were voted seventh in the poll with 103 points.
MacEwan's home opener is Oct. 27 vs. Saskatchewan (6 p.m., David Atkinson Gym).
The Griffins' season will conclude on Feb. 16-17 at home vs. UBC Okanagan.
The top eight teams will qualify for the playoffs.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL ON CANADA WEST TV
Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.
COACHES POLL
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 153 (4)
- Manitoba Bisons - 143 (3)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 141 (3)
- Alberta Pandas - 137 (3)
- Trinity Western Spartans - 116 (1)
- UBCO Heat - 112
- Calgary Dinos - 103
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 79
- Mount Royal Cougars - 78
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 74
- Winnipeg Wesmen - 59
- MacEwan Griffins - 39
- Regina Cougars - 27
- Brandon Bobcats - 13
GRIFFINS PREVIEW
Key performer: Mariah Bereziuk
Among the kills leaders in Canada West last season, the veteran dynamic outside hitter accounted for 36 per cent of the Griffins' attack in 2022-23 and will figure large into their plans again. Bereziuk also brings a strong defensive game (second in digs on the Griffins in 2022-23) and factors into the team's block defence as well. Her veteran leadership will be key for a Griffins team looking to get back to the post-season for the first time since 2019-20.
