EDMONTON – Sometimes a team just has a few more tricks up their sleeve.
The MacEwan Griffins competed and hung with the nationally ranked Alberta Pandas, but they just couldn’t find a way to break through and the Pandas seemed to have an answer for every move the Griffins made.
It resulted in a straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-18) on Saturday night at the David Atkinson Gym.
Mariah Bereziuk led the Griffins with eight kills, while Payton Shimoda recorded 15 assists. Bronwyn Ettinger and Arden Butler each recorded 10 digs in the loss for MacEwan who fell to 11-9 this season.
Lauryn Tremblay led Alberta with 13 kills and 10 digs, while rookie outside hitter Abby Guezen chipped in with 11 kills and six digs.
After a tough night against Alberta on Friday, MacEwan came out much stronger in that regard. In the opening set, they were able to jump out to a 7-5 lead after a nice tip from Kara Frith. They continued to push and were able to take a 12-9 lead after a kill from Butler, and blocks from Bereziuk and Shimoda.
The Pandas were able to keep pace with MacEwan and after a block from middle Sarah McGee to tie it at 17-17, Alberta was able to take the lead on the next play and didn’t look back.
MacEwan once again jumped out to a nice 6-2 lead in the second set, but after Allie Moore recorded back-to-back aces, it was 6-5, and the Pandas went on an 11-5 run to break the set open. But despite being down 17-10, MacEwan clawed their way back into the match and after a service ace from Hoppus and a tip and two kills from Bereziuk, MacEwan only trailed 18-16.
But Alberta gathered themselves, regained momentum and earned the 25-22 set win.
In the third set, MacEwan jumped out to an 8-5 lead on the strength of back-to-back-to-back aces from Bereziuk, but Alberta was able to take control and go on a 4-0 run to take a 9-8 lead, and they didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the way.
While MacEwan hung in with Alberta, where they struggled on Saturday was their lack of finish at the attack line.
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