Depth at the setter position key for Griffins as Natras getting chance to offer a different look

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – In other sports, it’s becoming a bit of a trend – swapping out two strong goalies in one net or running with two different quarterbacks depending on the game situation to maximize their strengths.

The volleyball equivalent is the setter position.

At MacEwan, both Mason Natras and Alexander Lyndon are seeing the court for the Griffins, bringing different strengths to perhaps the most important position on the floor.

To keep opponents off balance, the Griffins have mixed their participation on any given night or situation within a set.

“We have two good setters and that’s a strength because they both have different strengths,” said Griffins head coach Brad Poplawski. “If I’m an opposing coach and I’m looking at MacEwan, depending on which setter’s playing, it leads to different choices. It makes it a little tougher to prepare against us, so I think that’s a strength. 

“That’s something we want to utilize the rest of the season – capitalizing on their different strengths and seeing if we can use that. Whether it’s in game or game to game, I think they do some different things well.”

Coming off a bye week, the Griffins will host the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack for a pair of games on Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).

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After seeing approximately 25 per cent of the action last season as a Canada West rookie in a backup role, Natras is gaining more of a share lately, playing in 10 of the Griffins’ last 12 sets.

“It’s really good,” said the Strathcona high school and NAVC product. “I think I’m starting to settle into it now. Especially that first game against Fraser Valley (Jan. 14), the nerves were high. Now, I think I’m really settled in. U of A, we took a set off them and played really well that weekend (Jan. 20-21).

“I’m starting to come together with the guys and gain some chemistry. I think we’re starting to go on the up.”

Mason Natras celebrates a point with teammates during MacEwan’s 3-2 win over UFV on Jan. 14 (Robert Antoniuk photo).

Natras actually did play quarterback on his junior high football team in Sherwood Park, so he feels that’s an apt comparison for what a setter goes through, gaining reps with his teammates and offering something different than the other QB.

“It’s just getting a different look,” he said. “I played quarterback when I played football and I think it’s kind of the same thing. You’ve got to know your offence and know what guys need from you. 

“It definitely helps because maybe you set the ball higher or lower. It changes up the dynamics for the other team.”

Among Natras’ strengths is his blocking ability as he stands 6-foot-6 and jumps out of the gym.

“Obviously, he’s worked really hard since being in our program,” said Poplawski. “I saw the work this summer, especially in the gym. He’s starting to process the game and get a little quicker. 

“He’s one of our highest touches on the team, so he provides a blocking element that’s pretty big. He’s a big presence at the net for us.”

While setting is the primary element of his game, Mason Natras also gives the Griffins a big blocking presence on the court (Robert Antoniuk photo).

No matter who’s starting, though, both Natras and Lyndon support one another.

“I think it’s really good,” said Natras. “Alex is a great guy and a great teammate. 

“It’s a coin flip because we don’t really know what’s going on before the game and it’s in the locker-room before the game where Pops says who’s starting. So, we’ve got to be mentally prepared for the game and ready to go if we do get the call.”

The Griffins (1-17) have six games remaining in their 2022-23 season and the goal will be to get some wins and build for next season. TRU (8-10) enters the weekend sitting in a playoff position.

“We’ve talked a lot about how we’ve been competitive (this season),” said Poplawski, whose team has regularly taken opponents to extra points in sets. “I want to win these ones to finish as many as we can. Putting ourselves in those positions to be competitive, but also finding ways to close those out is what I’m looking for from this group. 

“I think our attention to detail this semester has been good. I don’t think they’ve let our record dictate how hard they’ve been working. Just seeing how much success we can have to finish.”