Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — The MacEwan Griffins know their odds are tough to make the playoffs, but that isn't stopping them from giving it all they've got to try and clinch a spot.
Up against one of the top teams in the country, the Griffins went toe-to-toe with the No.7 ranked University of Calgary Dinos, but fell short, losing 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-16), Friday night at David Atkinson Gym.
Second-year outside hitter Jefferson Morrow and fourth-year outside hitter Alexei Walisser led the Griffins with 12 kills each, while Morrow also added 11 digs in the loss.
Fifth-year outside hitter Hamish Hazelden led the Dinos with 12 kills and nine digs in the win.
"We really fought with them in that second set, too. If we just could've taken a two set lead, things may have been a little different," said fourth-year outside hitter Ethan Nashim.
"This was one of the best games we've had blocking and our defence really stood tall. We went point-for-point with the seventh-best team in the country, but we just ran out of gas."
The Griffins know what's at stake this weekend. Earn an upset win over the Dinos, and MacEwan clinches a playoff spot.
It may be a tall order, but for the second time in a row this season, the Griffins have pushed the Dinos to four sets.
They seem to rise to the Dinos level, now they just have to go one step further.
After an incredibly entertaining opening set, which saw the Griffins prevail 25-23, MacEwan looked to go ahead two sets.
They held a 21-19 lead, but then a kill from Hazelden got the momentum rolling for the Dinos and they were able to generate points off the block as MacEwan had a tough time breaking through their big middles, and they were able to come from behind and take the second set 25-23.
"They've got some really big middles and it's different when you're going up against them. We're not used to that, but we have to make smarter shots when the shot isn't there," said Nashim.
"There were times when we fell victim to not making the smart shot. We need to make a better shot selection, when it's not there."
That set win sparked the Dinos. They smelled some blood and they took full advantage of it in the third set as they controlled the set the entire way.
A kill from Nashim, cut the Dinos lead to 15-11, but Calgary went on a 10-5 run to close it out.
"It felt like two different games, honestly," said first-year middle Jonah Karsten.
"After the second set, we didn't keep up the same energy. Letting them come back in that second set almost deflated us and we weren't able to recover from that."
Despite the rough third set, MacEwan looked poised to push it to a fifth and deciding set. They jumped out to an early 5-1 lead, and then continued to press to push the lead to 10-5, but then the wheels fell off as the Dinos went on a 20-6 run to earn the four set win.
"Their big guy (Hamish Hazelden) went on a big run and we got in a rut and couldn't pick up the ball. It was tough to get out of that situation," said Nashim.
"We lost a lot of momentum that we had."
The Griffins had faced a lot of tough challenges this season, but they're certainly not losing hope that they can lock down a playoff spot.
"We all want that playoff spot so bad. You could see it tonight, the guys were fired up. We know we have what it takes," said Nashim.
"Tomorrow we have to fight as hard as we ever have and not leave anything on the floor to try and lock down that playoff spot."
MacEwan will wrap up their regular season on Saturday (7 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
