Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — The MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team entered uncharted waters for the first time this season and showed they're not just going to sink easily under the pressure.
After winning just two sets prior to this weekend, MacEwan battled their hearts out, but dropped a five-set marathon (25-23, 15-25, 25-19, 25-27, 15-12) to the Calgary Dinos on Friday night at the David Atkinson Gymnasium.
Erica Bolink led the Griffins with 16 kills and 12 digs, while Sarah McGee had 14 kills and four digs for MacEwan.
Kenzie Vaandeering led the Dinos with 16 kills, as the Dinos improved to 3-8, while MacEwan fell to 0-11.
It was the first time all year MacEwan played five full sets.
"We showed a lot of fight tonight, and we didn't back down," said McGee.
"We all want that win so bad. We're a young team, and we know there aren't a lot of expectations for us. Teams see 16 first year (players) on our roster and walk into the gym with confidence and I thought we came out firing and challenged the Dinos in every facet of the game tonight."
The Griffins dropped a close opening set, but took full control of the game in the second set, dominating Calgary to a smooth 25-15 win.
But Calgary showed great poise in the third set, jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back.
The fourth set may be one that the Griffins will look to build their confidence on for the rest of the year.
They held the lead almost the entire distance against the Dinos, but Calgary found a way to take a 24-23 lead.
MacEwan simply didn't fold under the pressure.
They took a 25-24 lead, only to see it slip away after a crazy rally that lasted close to a minute, but Bolink came through with a huge kill, and McGee forced the fifth set with one of her four service aces.
Sarah McGee lines up a kill in Friday's match vs. the Calgary Dinos (Eduardo Perez photo).
"We were in a situation tonight that we haven't been in, and I thought we handled it well," said Griffins head coach Ken Briggs.
"There were some panicky moments, but for us, it was a unique situation. We haven't got to that fourth and fifth set all the time, and it's a good experience for them.
"We controlled the game in a lot of ways, and we're happy with our compete (level), we just have to find a way to take that next step."
Calgary jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the final set, and led the entire way, but once again, the Griffins continued to battle and show fight.
They cut the Dinos lead to 5-3, and later a big kill from Rachel Perry cut their lead to 11-9, but a 4-0 run late in the set sealed the win for Calgary.
"This was the best volleyball we've played all year. Our fight was there, and the girls were staying aggressive the whole time," said McGee.
"We had to adapt to situations that we haven't been in so far and we battled for every single point. Unfortunately we just let it slip away at the end.
"That first win is so close we can taste it. If we come out with that same drive, that same fight tomorrow, I know we can get it."
The teams will meet again on Saturday (5 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
