Raod Preview: Volleyball teams off to Saskatoon for series vs. Saskatchewan Huskies

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – It was an epic layoff, to say the least.

When the Griffins women’s volleyball team returns for their first game of 2025 on Friday in Saskatoon, Sask., they will have been out of game action for 48 days.

Combined with the Christmas break that lasted until Jan. 9 for Canada West women’s volleyball teams, the Griffins had a bye last weekend with only the MacEwan men playing due to unbalanced schedule.

For starters Payton Shimoda and Kara Frith, the break from game action has been even longer. Shimoda hasn’t played since Nov. 16 due to an injury (a 62-day layoff from game action), while Frith has been on the shelf with an injury since Oct. 19 – a full 90 days in between games.

Both will be key for the Griffins to find success against Saskatchewan in matches on Friday (6:30 p.m. MT) and Saturday (3:30 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).

Meanwhile, the Griffins men’s team will be looking to rebound after losing twice to UFV last weekend. They will play against the Huskies on Friday (5 p.m. MT) and Saturday (2 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

On Tap

Friday: at Saskatchewan, 6:30 p.m. MT, Canada West TV

Saturday: at Saskatchewan, 3:30 p.m. MT, Canada West TV

Last meeting

Oct. 28, 2023: Saskatchewan 3 at MacEwan 0

Last game

Nov. 30: MacEwan 0 at UBC 3

Jan. 11: Saskatchewan 3 at Calgary 0

2024-25 records

MacEwan (0-10): 14th

Saskatchewan (5-7): T7th

Chris Wandler’s coach’s quote

“Over the break, we had some scrimmages and then we played that one exhibition match against No. 2 UFV (on Jan. 2). It was really important for us at the beginning of the new year to get our heads into the idea of competing again. It gave us three weeks of really good training. We’re really looking forward to getting back into that space of competing and trying to pull a match out. We’re curious to see how well we’ve done in the last few weeks.”

Players to watch

MacEwan: Payton Shimoda – The Griffins dearly missed their starting setter on the final weekend of the first semester after she was hit in the head by a volleyball, forcing her to the injury shelf. Now healthy, Shimoda returns as the quarterback of all they do on offence. When she’s on, she’s among the best setters in the conference.

Saskatchewan: Taryn Hannah – The third-year outside hitter is fifth in the conference in kills (146) and kills/set (3.56). Formerly a member of the Brandon Bobcats in 2021-22, she’s thrived since transferring, using her 6-foot frame to put pressure on blocks around Canada West.

Jarod Inia blasts a kill from the left side against UFV last weekend (James Maclennan photo).

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

On Tap

Friday: at Saskatchewan, 5 p.m. MT, Canada West TV

Saturday: at Saskatchewan, 2 p.m. MT, Canada West TV

Last meeting

Oct. 28, 2023: Saskatchewan 3 at MacEwan 0

Last game

Jan. 11: UFV 3 at MacEwan 0

Jan. 11: Saskatchewan 3 at Calgary 2

2024-25 records

MacEwan (0-12): 13th

Saskatchewan (8-4): 4th

Brad Poplawski’s coach’s quote

“We can’t just be jumping in the middle because their outsides are good, and they run pipe. So, it’s still about being disciplined, being patient at the net. We always talk about reading with our eyes, not our feet. You don’t want to just see something, do something. You want to read and evaluate and then react in the proper way to it. 

“We’ve just worked on a lot this week on our block footwork, our block reaction, and our timing to try to hopefully limit some of their attackers. Beyond that, we’re focusing on our side out because that was something we were lacking last weekend. We just gave up too many runs at times, so we’re trying to be more efficient with our offence, too.”

Players to watch

MacEwan: Jarod Inia – After returning from an injury on Nov. 9, the former New Zealand junior national team member has been steadily getting better every week. Against UFV, he was really beginning to make a difference as a secondary option behind sensation rookie Mitchell Croft, which is the depth the Griffins need if they are to find success.

Saskatchewan: Emmett Graham – Every week it seems the Griffins face a big hitter and their visit to Saskatoon will see no exception to that. Graham is fourth in Canada West in kills/set (3.67), only behind Alberta’s Isaac Heslinga (4.93), Winnipeg’s Isaiah Olfert (4.19) and MacEwan’s Mitchell Croft (3.88).