Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
CALGARY – Some untimely service errors and a bad rotation or two proved to be the difference in what was otherwise a close match for the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team against the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday.
Instead, it ended in a straight-sets defeat – 25-20, 25-20, 25-21.
"At times we did (what we wanted to do)," said head coach Chris Wandler. "In the first two sets, we uncharacteristically had more service errors than we (usually do). That really was the difference in the first two sets. Everything was going back and forth, back and forth. I think we had five or six missed serves in the first set and same with the second. Along with one bad rotation, that was the difference in Set 1 and 2.
"Then, you have to work really hard to get back in it in that third set. They played a little bit better and we kind of played the same, so there was no net benefit in that third set."
With the result, the Griffins' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after they fell to 2-13, now three games back of the final post-season spot, held by 5-12 Calgary. MRU improves to 10-5 – tied for fifth in Canada West, which is important because the top six get a bye past the Play In round.
MRU was led on Friday by Grace Coulter and Bronwynn Davies-Neira, who both had nine kills, while setter Lexi Herrod had 26 assists and Paige Davidson chipped in 14 digs.
MacEwan outside hitter Alyshia Bryks recorded a match-high 13 kills on a .355 hitting percentage, accounting for 15.5 points.
"She was very solid and had a really good night – very efficient," said Wandler. "It was really a good three sets by her offensively."
Anika Buys had three kills, but with one block, she matched the program record for the most in a Canada West season by a Griffins rookie. Her 35 blocks in 2024-25 matches Mckenna Stevenson's 2015-16 rookie season.
"She's brought a little bit of physicality and a good block presence, for sure," said Wandler. "It's tough as a rookie going in and playing against fourth years. That's what she was up against today. It's really tough. There's lots of learning that goes on."
The Griffins will aim for a better result in Saturday's rematch (5 p.m., Canada West TV).
"There wasn't anything tactically that we need to do anything different," said Wandler. "It's just being a little bit more careful with the ball.
"We were (putting them out of system), but we weren't taking advantage of it enough at the appropriate times. We never really thought we were out of any of those sets. It's kind of a matter of how many and when they happen."
