Buoyed by two big wins, Griffins prepare for final road trip of season, at UBC Okanagan

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – There’s a whole different air about the MacEwan men’s volleyball team this week.

Buoyed by two huge wins over Thompson Rivers University, the preparation for their next challenge has been about coming back down to level instead of being built back up after a string of losses.

“It’s a little different challenge,” acknowledged head coach Brad Poplawski. “It’s a good thing. As a coach, my philosophy has always been the same. Win or lose, we’re going to prepare the same for the next opponent whether it’s the No. 1 team in the country or not. I don’t think our perspective has changed.

“Obviously, the guys are feeling a little better about themselves, I hope. They should. I thought they earned both wins on the weekend. Our goal is always the same – to be as prepared as possible to play, obviously with our game plan, but also with our physical prep. That’s been our attitude this week.”

The Griffins (3-17) head out on their final road trip of the season this weekend at UBC Okanagan (6-14) on Friday (6 p.m. MT) and Saturday (4 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).

After a pair of 3-1 wins over Thompson Rivers (8-12) for their first weekend sweep in more than four years, the Griffins are certainly leaning on the things they did to find success, though.

“We talked after the game about our defensive attention,” said Poplawski. “We picked up a lot of balls that maybe we haven’t at all times this season and just our attention to detail in blocking. 

“Offensively, our guys found different ways to score. If you have a pretty big toolbox of shots, you’re tougher to block and defend against. I thought our guys did a good job of being creative, challenging the block or tipping and rolling – just mixing that shot selection up. 

“Then our setters did a good job getting one on one opportunities for our guys and then trying to vary our offence – sprinkling in some middle and pipe. I think that’s something we want to keep building on. Obviously, that will depend on our pass, so we’ve had a major emphasis on our passing.”

That will be especially important this weekend as UBCO brings a strong serving game to the fore.

“They’re a very good team,” said Poplawski. “I’ve watched them a lot this past week. They have five spin servers in their lineup, so they really try to come at you from the baseline. That’s why I mention the importance of our pass, obviously every weekend, but this weekend in particular. They also have some very disciplined middles, so it’s just reminding our guys about how to challenge the block properly. 

“It’s their graduating players’ weekend, so they’re going to be hyped to play. It’s making sure we’re ready to match that focus and intensity.”