Canada West Communications
EDMONTON – Coaches from around the conference voted for the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team to take a tumble from the sixth-place finish they had in 2023-24, placing them in 12th in the Canada West coaches poll, released Thursday.
With 54 points in voting, the Griffins were actually tied for 11th with Saskatchewan, but slotted in 12th by Canada West for the purposes of the above graphic.
The Griffins return 12 players from the team that gave UFV a solid run before bowing out in the Canada West quarter-finals last February. But key departures – U SPORTS second team all-star Mariah Bereziuk, top middle blocker Sarah McGee and star libero Bronwyn Ettinger – are likely behind the reason opposing coaches have faded them in the rankings.
The Griffins open the season at home vs. Trinity Western – ranked fourth in the poll – on Friday (5 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
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Defending Canada West champion and 2025 U SPORTS host Manitoba topped the poll with U SPORTS player of the year Raya Surinx back in the fold.
Alberta and UBC were voted No. 2 and 3 in the poll with both teams coming off an electric matchup in the U SPORTS championship final last season, won by the Thunderbirds.
The Canada West regular season runs through Feb. 15, with playoffs starting on Feb. 21. The postseason will culminate in a "Final Four" format beginning March 8.
Fans can catch all the action on CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku. Regular season sport passes are available for $39.99.
2024-25 CW WVB PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- Manitoba Bisons - 162 (9)
- Alberta Pandas - 151 (2)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 150 (3)
- Trinity Western Spartans - 130
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 120
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 110
- UBC Okanagan Heat - 100
- Winnipeg Wesmen - 76
- Mount Royal Cougars - 66
- Calgary Dinos - 62
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 54
- MacEwan Griffins - 54
- Regina Cougars - 21
- Brandon Bobcats – 18
MacEWAN GRIFFINS PREVIEW
Chris Wandler coach's quote:
"The Griffins are looking to improve from their playoff berth last season. With veteran leadership, the Griffs look to take another step in the difficult Canada West conference."
Key Performer: Payton Shimoda
Setter
4th Year
Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.
Coming off a season where she finished third in the conference in assists/set (9.70) - setting a MacEwan program record - the veteran setter proved she's among the best in Canada West at the position.
The Griffins' team captain and offensive quarterback brings her high volleyball IQ, deception and strong ability in distribution to set up a balanced attack on a team that's looking to return to the Canada West playoffs and contend in 2024-25.
