Griffins push defending national champion Golden Bears in much closer match than score indicates

Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON — When you’re facing the defending national champion Alberta Golden Bears, and you’ve been bitten as hard as the MacEwan Griffins have been by the injury bug, one may think MacEwan would be overmatched — but that wasn’t the case on Friday night at the David Atkinson Gym.

MacEwan lost in straight sets (25-23, 28-26, 25-12), but for the majority of the match, they gave the defending champs all they could handle.

Mitchell Croft led MacEwan with 10 kills and six digs, while Owen Johnson chipped in with seven kills for MacEwan, while Isaac Heslinga led Alberta with 18 kills in the win for the Golden Bears.

Down multiple bodies already, they were also missing veteran setter Mason Natras against Alberta, which led to Kenneth Ang making his first career U SPORTS start for the Griffins.

“It was surreal, and for it to be against U of A, the defending national champions… coming in, I just didn’t want to screw up. I wanted to make strong decisions, try and set a perfect ball, and trust my hitters,” said Ang, who recorded 22 assists and two digs in his Canada West debut.

MacEwan fell down big early in the opening set, but some strong play from Johnson and Croft helped the Griffins chip away at the lead. Back-to-back kills from both men cut Alberta’s lead to 15-14, as MacEwan went on a nice 12-7 run to get back in it.

Spencer Loucks, who is another Griffins player having to step up with others out of the lineup came up with a big kill and a block to make it 24-23, but the Golden Bears were able to squeak out the first set win.

Spencer Loucks with the big kill in the middle as the @MacEwanGriffins keep it close in the opening set before it goes @BearsandPandas way 25-23.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/iNmtPRdsJq

— MacEwan Griffins Men’s Volleyball Team (@GriffinsMVB) November 9, 2024

“We could’ve had them… we could’ve stolen a set or two… we were in the driver’s seat most of that second set,” said Ang.

“I felt like the guys fought incredibly hard, and that’s all we can ask for. We have to keep pushing.”

MacEwan came out with a much better start in Set 2, and were right with the defending champs early on. A big kill from Croft made it 8-8 and then MacEwan was able to take their first lead moments later, and Johnson came through with a nice block to give the Griffins an 11-9 advantage.

The second set was a back-and-forth affair as it was tied 14 times, and the lead changed four different times.

Loucks came up with a big block to give MacEwan a 26-25 lead, but they couldn’t hold on as Jacob Sargent stuffed a kill attempt on set point and then Heslinga served up an ace to give Alberta the set win.

Mitch Croft carves it off the double block and out as the @MacEwanGriffins refuse to fall without a fight in an impressive performance vs. defending @USPORTS_VBall champs @BearsandPandas. Alberta narrowly wins second set 28-26.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/NR7tw3sC3y

— MacEwan Griffins Men’s Volleyball Team (@GriffinsMVB) November 9, 2024

“There were a ton of lineup changes, and a lot of different responsibilities given to guys in practice, and I think for the most part the guys did a great job filling those roles, whether they’ve done it or not, or it was their first time, I was really happy with the young guys in our lineup,” said Johnson, who made his return to the court after missing the Griffins’ last two games due to illness.

MacEwan has faced a gauntlet of opponents through the early portion of the Canada West season, but they’ve shown signs that they can battle with some of the top teams in the country, and they’re not overmatched.

Against the U of A, a point here or there, and the Griffins could’ve been closer to their first win of the season.

Ken Ang sets up Spencer Loucks for a kill on Friday. The setter was making his first U SPORTS start (James Maclennan photo).

“We know we’re playing some tough opponents, but we have to treat it like any other game,” said Ang.

“Those first two sets were super tight, and there were still things on our side that were controllable, so we will need to make some changes tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to coming out stronger tomorrow.”

“The boys are hungry, we need that first W. We know we have been tested in these early games in the season, but we know if we keep playing like we are, wins will start to come.”

MacEwan will wrap up their weekend series against Alberta on Saturday (4:30 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).