MacEwan Athletics

WINNIPEG – In the ever-revolving door of individual players stepping up for the MacEwan Griffins men's volleyball team, it was Shane Kerrison's turn on Friday.

The fifth-year outside hitter recorded 18 kills on .368 efficiency and was the lifeblood of the Griffins' offence.

Unfortunately, it was Kerrison and not enough of anyone else to make a difference as MacEwan suffered its seventh-straight defeat on the Canada West season, 3-0 at the Manitoba Bisons (25-21, 25-23, 25-17).

"Shane was very good for us tonight," said Griffins head coach Brad Poplawski. "He put up good numbers and played quite well."

But others who have led the show in past games had quiet nights on Friday. Kills leader Kai Hesthammer had just five and minus efficiency, while rookie Ryan Zachary, who has carried the Griffins in other matches, had just four kills and a .083 percentage.

"I think it's kind of been the story of the year," said Poplawski. "We have some good young players and guys who are going to be good, but it's hard to find that consistency.

"Right now, it seems like we'll have one guy have a great evening, but there's no one going with him. Shane has 18 kills. It was kind of like last weekend when Max (Vriend) put up big numbers. We've had games where Kai's put up big numbers or Ryan Zachary's put up big numbers.

"It just seems to be we can't string together a match of more than one guy having a great night. That's the disappointing thing. It's kind of like whack-a-mole right now."

Manitoba was led by fifth-year Adam DeJonckheere, who put away 21 kills on .552 efficiency, while Kevin Negus chipped in 10.

The teams will meet again on Saturday (4 p.m., Canada West TV). Poplawski is hoping his team can string together a more complete effort.

"We've had some really, really good individual efforts, but that's the thing. It's not an individual sport. You need other guys going with you," he said.

"We have to find a way to get guys realizing the repeatability of their performances."