CW Coaches Poll: Griffins ranked 13th ahead of season opener

Canada West Communications

EDMONTON – The MacEwan Griffins enter the 2023-24 Canada West season this weekend with a solid mix of returning veterans and incoming recruits as they aim for a playoff spot.

MacEwan finished 13^th in the Canada West Coaches Poll, released Wednesday, but have the talent to get into the top eight if they can reach their potential.

Defending Canada West champion Alberta enters the season as the favourite, earning five first-place votes, but upstart Mount Royal also earned five first place nods from the coaches and are ranked second. Trinity Western, UBC and Winnipeg round out the top five.

MacEwan opens the season at No. 6-ranked Calgary on Friday and Saturday before hosting No. 8 Saskatchewan in their home opening weekend Oct. 27-28 at the David Atkinson Gym.

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The Griffins’ season concludes on Feb. 16-17 vs. UBC Okanagan. 

The top eight teams will qualify for the playoffs.

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2023-24 CW MVB PRESEASON COACHES POLL 

Team – Points (First-place votes)

Alberta Golden Bears – 133 (5)

Mount Royal Cougars – 129 (5)

Trinity Western Spartans – 126 (1)

UBC Thunderbirds – 114 (1) 

Winnipeg Wesmen – 91

Calgary Dinos – 88 (1) 

Brandon Bobcats – 74

Saskatchewan Huskies – 71

Manitoba Bisons – 66

Thompson Rivers WolfPack – 43

Fraser Valley Cascades – 36

UBCO Heat – 30

MacEwan Griffins – 13

GRIFFINS’ PREVIEW

Key Performer: Alexander Lyndon

Bringing skill and passion to the court, Lyndon will be a key veteran leader MacEwan relies upon in the 2023-24 season. The Aussie setter led the team in assists (592) last season and matched a program single-season record for service aces (19). He will combine with top returning outside hitter Mitchel Gorman and a cast of emerging talents to lead the Griffins’ attack in 2023-24.