Three Stars: Odinga, Bryks, Jamieson earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Anneke Odinga is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after her performances in netting the Griffins a four-point weekend.
Odinga was a rock defensively, locking down Lethbridge's and Calgary's top players, while driving play for MacEwan all weekend.
Women's volleyball outside hitter Alyshia Bryks and men's soccer defender Stewart Jamieson were named the second and third stars, respectively.
Odinga is appearing on the Three Stars list for the second time this season, also being named first star on Sept. 24.
Both Bryks and Jamieson are making the list for the first time in 2024-25.
Anneke Odinga holds off a Lethbridge player to control possession during last Saturday's game. She logged back-to-back 90-minute performances, leading MacEwan to a four-point road weekend (Cam Yoos photo).
1st STAR: Anneke Odinga, D, women's soccer
St. Albert, AB, fourth-year, Arts
Continuing an impact season for the Griffins, the fourth-year fullback logged two complete game performances during the team's regular season-ending road trip to Southern Alberta.
Against Lethbridge on Saturday, she was named MacEwan's player of the game after putting in a 90-minute shift in a 1-1 tie, recording two shots.
In MacEwan's 1-0 win over Calgary on Sunday, she logged another 90, continually turning back the Dinos' top offensive players.
Odinga led the Griffins in ground duels won, blocks and intercepts. She locked down the back line and her opposing checks in both matches and was also a major player in the team's buildup and attacking phases, using her speed to create from a wide position.
The co-captain started all 14 matches for MacEwan, finishing with three goals – all coming off PKs to set a new program record for the most in a season – and six points, tied for fifth on the Griffins.
The co-captain will lead MacEwan into a Canada West quarter-final match on Friday vs. Trinity Western (6 p.m., Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV).
Alyshia Bryks had 24 combined kills and 29.0 combined points in two matches for the Griffins against national championship contender Trinity Western on the weekend (Robert Antoniuk photo).
2nd STAR: Alyshia Bryks, OH, women's volleyball
Andrew, AB, fourth-year, Science
As the Griffins pushed national championship contender Trinity Western on their opening weekend, Bryks was a major reason why.
The outside hitter led the Griffins in points both nights, as she is emerging as the top target for setter Payton Shimoda after the graduation of U SPORTS second team all-star Mariah Bereziuk.
In Saturday's epic 3-2 loss to Trinity Western that went the distance, Bryks led the Griffins with 16 kills on a .225, adding two service aces, five digs and two blocks, accounting for a team-high 19.0 points.
In Friday's 3-0 loss, she co-led the Griffins with eight kills on a .273 hitting percentage, adding four digs and two blocks, while accounting for a team-high 10.0 points.
For the season, Bryks is currently ninth in Canada West in both kills (24) and points (29.0).
The Griffins hit the road this weekend for matches at UBC Okanagan on Friday (6 p.m. MT) and Saturday (5 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).
Stewart Jamieson lunges to force an Alberta striker to shoot it wide last Friday. His defensive performance in his final university game earned him player of the game honours (Norman Bo photo).
3rd STAR: Stewart Jamieson, D, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Arts
Playing in his final university game, the co-captain logged a full 90 for the Griffins in a tough battle against cross-town rival Alberta last Friday.
Due to injuries, he needed to play out of position, even though he was coming back from in injury of his own. He made the adjustments, took the position switch in stride and made a difference for the Griffins.
Jamieson drove into space, when in possession and organized the group when they were defending. For his efforts, he as named the Griffins' player of the game.
He finishes his impactful career at MacEwan with 31 games played, including 22 starts, recording two assists and making countless big defensive plays.
