Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Awash in their own errors more than what was happening on the other side of the court, the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team went quietly into the afternoon on Friday, losing 3-0 to the Winnipeg Wesmen in a match that only lasted only one hour and six minutes.
With the crowd of 240 mostly filled with kids enjoying an afternoon out of the classroom on MacEwan Athletics' inaugural School Day, the Griffins lost 25-22, 25-10, 25-14 and fell to 0-7 on the Canada West season. Winnipeg is now 3-4.
"We weren't efficient enough on our first contact," said Griffins head coach Chris Wandler. "You get your setter running around and she did the best she could to put balls into spaces. Then we make unforced errors that you shouldn't make, and it deflates your balloon.
"We just have to have a stronger mentality. We do our best to prep them tactically and technically and then it's up to them to execute."
Selva Planincic led the Wesmen with 12 kills, an ace and four digs, while Grace Vallis had nine kills and Brooke Duncalfe eight to go along with three aces and five digs. Setter Breanna Bazin had 32 assists in just three sets.
MacEwan had only two attackers in positive numbers – Arden Butler, who had eight kills on a .350 efficiency, and Evangeline Zeyha, who finished with four kills and four blocks. Setter Payton Shimoda had 20 assists, a kill and seven digs.
"Honestly, I was just focusing on staying aggressive," said Butler, who had the most positive moments for the Griffins on Friday. "We have a bye week next week and have nothing to lose. We've just got to give it our all, so that was my mentality going for it and I just wanted it."
SET 1 | Arden Butler drills it off the block and out as the @MacEwanGriffins stay alive in the opening set vs. @Wesmenathletics.@CanadaWest #GriffNation pic.twitter.com/EzOntG1J5I
— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) November 15, 2024
Unfortunately, they didn't have enough players playing aggressively as hesitation and miscommunication reigned, especially in the final two sets as MacEwan finished with negative attacking numbers in both (-.071% and -.125%, respectively).
"I think we had a lot of unforced errors where it was just miscommunication, dropping between two people out there," said Butler. "I think that's what got us at the end. We needed more of an urgency to go for the ball, and it seemed like there was some hesitation."
The match appeared to be on its way to being a close one when the teams battled tooth and nail in the opening set with the Griffins leading 12-11 midway through after an attack by Butler. But after Emily Lavallee blocked Anika Buys in the middle to put the Wesmen ahead 13-12, the visitors took control of the set, racing out to a four-point lead, snuffing out any further MacEwan rally attemps and ending it on Planincic's kill from the left side.
Set 2 was all Winnipeg as the Griffins couldn't get out of their own way. There were missed passes, a net violation, miscommunication, a quick set that was whiffed on and a free ball that stayed on their side of the court. The result was Winnipeg racing to a 21-6 lead before MacEwan at least got to double digits before Planincic again provided the finishing kill from the left side.
SET 3 | Evangeline Zeyha with a nice adjustment to hit a successful kill on a steparound play.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/IgHbq2Az0i
— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) November 15, 2024
Set 3 was more of the same as Winnipeg went on a 10-2 run out of an 8-7 lead early to take a commanding 18-9 lead and won it on their second match point attempt when Andi Krawec's attack went long.
MacEwan finished with an overall .024 efficiency rating in the match.
The biggest positive is they have another opportunity tomorrow. MacEwan will host Winnipeg again on Saturday (3 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV) and will be looking to be more in sync.
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"I think we just need to go in with more confidence," said Butler. "It seemed we lacked confidence going into the gym today as a whole and I'm not too sure why. I think just having a presence. It's our home gym. Tomorrow, just knowing where everyone has to be and keeping that aggressive mentality."
NOTABLE … The kids were loud and excited on School Day and many had made signs of support for the Griffins. It made for a fun atmosphere for the players. "We haven't played at this time before, so we had to adjust to that," said Butler. "It was super cool to have all the schools come and watch us. It gives us more motivation because they're cheering for us."
