Three Stars: Bereziuk, Natras, Hobal earn honours

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Women’s volleyball student-athlete Mariah Bereziuk is the MacEwan Athletics first star of the week after producing 25 kills over six sets in a weekend split against the Saskatchewan Huskies.

The veteran outside hitter was completely dominant in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Huskies with a match-leading 15 kills, while adding 10 in a 3-0 loss to the Huskies on Saturday.

Men’s volleyball setter Mason Natras and women’s soccer midfielder Brynn Hobal are the second and third stars, respectively.

It’s the first Three Stars recognition of the 2023-24 season for all three student-athletes.

Mariah Bereziuk racked up 25 kills over six sets against Saskatchewan on the weekend (Eduardo Perez photo).

1^st STAR: Mariah Bereziuk, OH, women’s volleyball

Boyle, AB, fourth-year, Commerce

The fourth-year outside hitter has been dominant in four matches so far this season in leading the Griffins to a 3-1 record.

Against Saskatchewan on Friday, Bereziuk had 15 kills in just three sets – a ridiculous kills/set average of 5.0 – while adding five service aces, nine digs, a block and accounting for 20.5 points.

Her five aces is tied for the eighth most in a Canada West match by a Griffins women’s volleyball player.

In Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Huskies, Bereziuk again led the Griffins with 10 kills, adding two aces, three digs a block and accounting for 13.0 points.

For the season, Bereziuk is fourth in Canada West in kills (50), second in kills/set (3.85), fourth in points (60.5) and tied for third in points/set (4.7).

Bereziuk leads the Griffins into action at UFV on Friday (8:45 p.m. MT) and Saturday (7:45 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV) in Abbotsford, B.C.

Setter Mason Natras was the constant in the Griffins’ play against the Saskatchewan Huskies (Eduardo Perez photo).

2^nd STAR: Mason Natras, S, men’s volleyball

Edmonton, AB, third-year, Commerce

An injury wave forced the Griffins to play several inexperienced players during a weekend series vs. Saskatchewan, but the biggest unwavering constant in their play was setter Mason Natras.

In Friday’s 3-0 loss to the Huskies, Natras led the Griffins with 21 assists, adding three kills, four digs and a block.

In Saturday’s 3-0 defeat, he was the Griffins’ best player with 19 assists and nine digs.

For the season, Natras is 13^th in Canada West with 61 assists and an average of 4.69 assists per set.

Natras and the Griffins head to Abbotsford, B.C. to face UFV on Friday (7 p.m. MT) and Saturday (6 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).

Brynn Hobal was named game MVP for the Griffins for her strong work driving play in their Canada West quarter-final match against Victoria on Saturday (Rebecca Chelmick photo).

3^rd STAR: Brynn Hobal, M, women’s soccer

Edmonton, AB, first-year, Commerce

The rookie midfielder came on as a sub in the 36^th minute for the Griffins in Saturday’s Canada West quarter-final and was the best player in maroon on the field.

While the Griffins suffered a 2-0 loss to the upstart Victoria Vikes, Hobal provided hope for the future with an inspired performance, driving play, sticking tackles and generally making life tough for the Vikes in midfield. She was named MacEwan’s MVP for the game.

Hobal played only four games for the Griffins in 2023, recovering from injuries, but her energy and assertiveness in midfield gave a strong glimpse of what she’ll be able to provide in the future.

Hobal is part of a strong crop of young players eligible to return for the Griffins next season as the future remains bright for a team that won the Prairie Division title with a 10-2-2 record.