Griffins’ mojo disappears mid match as tight contest turns into 3-1 loss to UFV Cascades

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Trading point for point throughout the majority of the opening two sets, the MacEwan Griffins and UFV Cascades appeared headed for an epic battle between teams near each other in the Canada West standings.

Instead, after Mitchell Croft‘s huge kill emphatically tied the match 1-1 with a 25-23 triumph in Set 2, the Griffins just melted away.

Unable to get crucial side-outs against a Cascades team clicking on all cylinders, the Griffins went away quietly in the next two sets and fell 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-13) in the first action of the second semester for both teams.

“I think we got a little bit high after that set win,” said Griffins outside hitter Daylan Andison. “We obviously want to bring that into the next set, but I think once we got down a couple of points – I think it was 7-3 – we started to get quiet and when you get quiet, thoughts creep into your heads. And we started playing as individuals. 

“I think that’s kind of where things went wrong. We need to be able to keep that energy up and just continue to play as a team. I think that kind of fell into the fourth set as well.”

With the result, the Griffins fall to 0-11 on the Canada West season, while UFV improves to 3-8. The teams will meet again on Saturday (2 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).

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MacEwan’s Croft continued his sensational rookie season with a match-high 19 kills, accounting for 20.0 points, while Andison had a solid evening with 12 kills on a team-leading .478 hitting percentage. Croft upped his season-long kills/set average to 3.89 (third in Canada West) in the defeat.

Neck and neck opening set as Mitch Croft hammers home a kill from the left side to knot the score 16-16 between @MacEwanGriffins and @UFVCascades .#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/UURqpqQasw

— MacEwan Griffins Men’s Volleyball Team (@GriffinsMVB) January 11, 2025

Setter Mason Natras had 35 assists for the Griffins.

For UFV, the dynamic left-side duo of Nimo Benne and Jonan Van Huizen led the Cascades with 18 and 17 kills, respectively, with the latter adding a match-high 10 digs and the former leading the way with 20.0 points. Setter Silas Van Huizen finished with 44 assists.

“They have a couple guys on the other side who jump pretty high – they have two big left sides,” said Andison. “But I think we honestly did a good job, especially in the first two (sets) getting touches on their swings. We were digging them lots of times. Our two biggest blockers were on their side – Mitch and Mason – so I think we did a good job getting in their face. In those last two sets, we weren’t pressing them as much as we should be and they kind of killed us there. 

“I think we’re right there with them physically and I know we can play with them. We’ve just got to find ways to keep that energy, keep that momentum and build it into those later sets.”

Indeed, the Griffins proved they could match the Cascades point for point early. In the opening set, UFV opened up a tight game by taking a 20-17 lead and earned set point at 24-19. The Griffins showed some grit, though, taking them to their fifth set point opportunity before falling when Andison’s serve went long.

After a strong rally, Jarod Robert hits it so hard the reception attempt makes it to the bleachers on the @MacEwanGriffins‘ side of the court!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/Zn4WTU3mhp

— MacEwan Griffins Men’s Volleyball Team (@GriffinsMVB) January 11, 2025

In Set 2, the Griffins were in the driver’s seat the whole way with a sizzling .531 hitting percentage (20 kills and only three errors in 32 attacks) and cruised to a 24-21 lead on an Andison power tip. This time, it was UFV with the late pushback, forcing the Griffins to earn it on their third set point when Croft hammered it home from the right side.

After that, though, the Griffins attacked at just .087 efficiency the rest of the match as they just couldn’t get on the same page and UFV had all the answers.

“It’s something we’ve been dealing with for a while,” said Andison. “I think a big part of it is just limiting their runs. We did a good job of that in the first two sets, but we definitely let them go on a couple runs in those last two. I think if we do limit those runs, then I don’t think that will be an issue. 

“All of us get along off the court and we’re good buddies. We’ve just got to figure out a way to keep that energy up and stay consistent in our abilities.”

Set 2 goes to the @MacEwanGriffins on their third set point attempt as Mitch Croft makes no mistake on a massive kill!
The @CanadaWest match is tied 1-1 with @UFVCascades.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/QrmEd3Pk3v

— MacEwan Griffins Men’s Volleyball Team (@GriffinsMVB) January 11, 2025

Following the game, the Griffins watched as the 2008-09 MacEwan men’s volleyball team was inducted into the Athletics department’s Wall of Distinction. Video was shown on the big board in the gym of the moment they clinched the CCAA Championship in Fort McMurray.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Andison. “Mark (Breakwell, a libero on the team) used to be our assistant coach, so we were cheering them on a bit. I know they were the last MacEwan volleyball team to win something big, so it’s pretty cool to see. To see some clips from when they won the championship is pretty cool.”

Members of the 2008-09 MacEwan Griffins men’s volleyball team pose with MacEwan University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Annette Trimbee, left, and Griff, right (James Maclennan photo).