Strong recruiting class and solid returning core have Griffins aiming for a playoff spot

Jason Hills 
For MacEwan Athletics 
 
EDMONTON – Lots of new faces bring a new identity forward for the MacEwan Griffins, but that hasn’t changed the team’s mindset heading into the 2024-25 Canada West season. 

Coming off a tough one-win campaign, the Griffins are looking to put some building blocks in place and push for a playoff spot this season. 

“For our team, I think we all know what we want to accomplish, especially with an expanded playoff format this year. We want to grab one of those spots,” said Griffins middle Jonah Karsten, who is part of the team’s leadership group this season. 

“We can’t get too hung up on the results. If we worry too much about the future, instead of being focused on the present, that’s when it can get away from us. If we focus on what we can do right now, the results will come from there.” 

The Griffins open the season vs. Trinity Western on Friday (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday (4:30 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

There’s no other way to put it, last year was a tough one for the Griffins who battled all kinds of adversity. 

Injuries to key starters that kept many of them out of the lineup for extended periods, forced Griffins head coach Brad Poplawski to integrate several young pieces into their lineup. 

While they didn’t get the results on the court,  the experience that a young player like second year outside hitter Sawyer Cousins got on the court in a trial-by-fire fashion along with other players like Owen Wilson and Mason Moore will pay dividends this year. 

“Sawyer spent all last season as an outside hitter and when we went to Toronto for a tournament in the preseason last weekend, we switched him to libero, and he played really well,” said Karsten. 

“He’s showing a lot of versatility on the court, and that could be a strength of his that could really help us this year.” 

The Griffins return a solid group of veterans back into the fold. Seth Birkholz will provide leadership and experience along with Karsten in the middle, while Daylan Andison is expected to provide punch from the outside and improve on his 141 kills from a season ago.  

Mason Natras battled injuries last season but will take over setting duties full-time after the graduation of Alexander Lyndon. 

Mason Natras will be the Griffins’ starting setter in 2024-25 after Alexander Lyndon graduated (Jefferson Hagen photo).

“Mason has been around and has been starting in our preseason matches. He’s ready to have a big season, and he’s prepared to lead us to a real solid season,” said Karsten. 

“He’s a bit less offensive than Alex, who would look to get some kills, but with Mason’s crazy long arms, and his height, he can be a difference-maker when it comes to blocking for us.” 

The Griffins have had their share of Aussies join their program over the last several years. From Lyndon last year and Jefferson Morrow and Lyndon the year before, the Griffins have recruited from the Land Down Under once again. 

Mitchell Croft is one of six new recruits this season, and the six-foot-nine outside hitter should make a big-time impact with the Griffins. 

“Mitch brings a ton coming in as a first year. The first game he came in for us, he had 20 kills,” said Karsten. 

“He loves to watch volleyball off the court. He’s really into the game at all levels and he’s really focused on getting better. He’s very hungry to get better and that’s the attitude we want from all our new guys.” 

New additions Mitchell Croft, left, of Australia, and Jaron Inia of New Zealand will factor big into the Griffins’ plans this season (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Also among the Griffins’ top recruits is Kiwi Jarod Inia, who is transferring in from NAIT where he helped the Ooks win a CCAA national championship last March.

One of the areas on the court, the Griffins will have loads of experience in the middle with Karsten and Birkholz holding it down. The duo has been paired together in the middle for the Griffins over the last two seasons, and last year combined for 155 kills, while playing solid defence. 

“We’re in our last year now, and we know what to do. We need to be efficient and make the most of our opportunities,” said Karsten. 

“For me personally, I want to be a big block presence. That’s going to be very important for myself and Seth and make it easier on our defence.” 

The Griffins will face an ultra-tough schedule to start the season. After facing perennial national championship contender Trinity Western this weekend to open the Canada West season, they’ll face defending U SPORTS champ Alberta in the third week of the season. 

UBC and Winnipeg, who are also among the conference’s top teams from a year ago, are also on the schedule in the first month. 

“To me, it doesn’t matter who our opponent is. It’s an opportunity to jump on one of these teams. Every team goes through changes. It’s early in the year, they may be trying to figure things out, too,” said Karsten. 

“We have to bring that pressure and that underdog mentality and get the most out of these top-level teams. It’s really exciting to be playing two of the perennial national championship contenders in our first three weeks. 

“You’re going to come into every season with optimism. It’s exciting to have a new opportunity, but the key is to be resilient right off the bat. We will see adversity, it may not be smooth sailing (early on), but it’s how we respond to that and keep building throughout the year.”