Injuries thrust first-year setter Rains into first Canada West start against Cascades

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Returning from a lengthy injury absence, first-year Griffins setter Samuel Rains was thrust into his first Canada West start on Saturday with only two practices to prepare for it.

Not an ideal situation, but such is the adversity facing the MacEwan men’s volleyball team right now with top veteran setter options Alexander Lyndon and Mason Natras out with injury.

“It’s probably not the circumstances that he envisioned, but I thought he did a good job,” said MacEwan head coach Brad Poplawski after his squad suffered a 3-0 loss to UFV (25-18, 25-18, 25-16). “Mason got injured last night and he’s out for a while now. That’s two setters down. You can’t make this up. So, not probably the way he drew it up. He’s just coming off injury and he only got two practices in this week. It is what it is. 

“We’re battling adversity and I thought he did a good job.”

With the result, the Griffins fell to 0-6 on the Canada West season, while UFV improved to 3-3.

Rains led MacEwan with 18 assists, two service aces and three digs – an impressive performance given the circumstances. Mitchel Gorman topped the offensive effort with 10 kills.

In the long run, Rains gaining experience now can only serve to help him and the Griffins later.

“You do learn a lot being on the floor,” said Poplawski. “Sometimes it’s hard lessons, but I thought the moment didn’t seem too big for him. He implemented a lot of stuff from training, which is good. He hasn’t played in a month, so probably a little bit of fatigue set in. 

“Honestly, overall, I’m pretty happy with his performance – the choices he made. He’s a good athlete. Hopefully it’s something he can use to build on.”

Overall, though, the Griffins weren’t nearly good enough on the weekend, getting bested in straight sets on back-to-back nights.

“We’re not good enough right now,” said Poplawski. “It doesn’t matter if we’re injured or not. We’re not getting close to the results we want and I’m not just talking wins. Our compete and battle for a full match just isn’t there. 

“I told the guys, this injury stuff is not an excuse, it’s not a crutch. It is what it is. We’re going to face adversity, so if we’re using that as an excuse to not be prepared or not battle, that’s not acceptable.”

The Griffins had some good moments, such as the first set when they opened up a 6-2 lead on the Cascades. But they just weren’t able to keep rolling.

“Why aren’t we able to sustain? We’re coming out of the gates well, but we just go away,” said Poplawski. “Why can’t we find different ways to score? It’s not good enough right now. 

“I know they’re trying, but we have to be better. You don’t get points for trying in this league. We just have to be a lot better – everyone does from the coaching staff on down.”