Junelle Mah, Griffins Athletics
Edmonton, AB.....The MacEwan University Griffins women's volleyball team opened their 2015/16 Canada West season with a 3-1 victory over the Mount Royal University Cougars at home in the MacEwan University City Centre Campus Gymnasium. The Griffins and Cougars will return to the court for day two of their series tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. MST.
GMU-MRU: 21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21
The Griffins and Cougars were ranked in 11th and 10th place respectively, in the 2015 Canada West coaches polls headed into today's season opener. The Cougars started off the first match with the lead, the Griffins kept the score close but ultimately fell to Mount Royal 21-25.
The second set started off in similar fashion, however the Griffins tied the set at 10 and proceeded to take the lead. The teams would battle back and forth but MacEwan University would prevail, 25-20.
The Griffins set the pace in the third set, keeping the pressure on the Cougars in a nail-biter 25-22 finish for the home team.
The fourth set saw two ties at five and 12 points, until MacEwan University began to pull away and keep a comfortable lead. The final set ended at 25-21 to give the Griffins their first win of the season on home court.
Third-year Griffins outside hitter Cassidy Kinsella, Leduc, AB led the way with 18 kills, two assists, 11 digs, and two blocks. Third-year outside hitter Michelle Bodnarek, Edmonton, AB 11 kills, one assist, eight digs and three blocks. Kinsella was named 'Player of the Game' for MacEwan University.
Fifth-year setter Jenna Smith, Beaverlodge, AB led the Cougars with four kills, 31 assists, eight digs, and three blocks. Second-year outside hitter Taylor Pelland, Wanham, AB had nine kills, two assists, and 10 digs. Smith was Mount Royal's 'Player of the Game'.