Graduating Seniors Q&A: Hoppus, Bryks, Jodoin and Tensen have all left their jersey in a better place

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Leaving their jersey in a better place is a common theme for the legacy four graduating seniors would like to leave as they move on from the program following this weekend's series vs. Calgary.

Madison Hoppus, Alyshia Bryks, Danielle Jodoin and Lauren Tensen have all left a mark on the program and will be celebrated in a Senior Day ceremony after Saturday's match (3 p.m., David Atkinson Gym). The Griffins also host the Dinos on Friday (5 p.m., both Canada West TV).

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"I think what this class has meant is it's left some indelible footprints," said MacEwan head coach Chris Wandler. "The future team members will have to take bits and pieces from all of them because they are very different people. I think that's what's great about this class. 

"They're not clones of each other and they will leave different footprints and DNA on this team that will last a few graduating classes. They won't be forgotten."

Enjoy a Q&A with each one of the seniors below:

MADISON HOPPUS

(2020-25)

Chris Wandler coach's quote:

"Madi is energy, energy, energy. Madi worked hard over her four years here prior to this year, and we thought with her skill set, energy and leadership that she could lend some help in that libero position this year. She filled those shoes adequately and I'm very proud of the effort she put in the whole entire year."

Always a team player first, Madison Hoppus switched to libero in her final season (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Q&A with Madison Hoppus:

What are you graduating with and when?

I'm graduating in the spring with my BCommerce major in management with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

Do you have a career goal in mind?

Long-term, I'd like to open my own volleyball high performance centre in Sherwood Park with a multi-sport (emphasis) – finding another sport to tag-team with.

That's an ambitious goal. You're willing to go that extra mile to turn your dreams into a reality, which says a lot about your character.

I think that was a big thing about five years at MacEwan, too. Even though the on-court stuff wasn't coming with the wins and losses, for me it was always a step further than volleyball. It was networking and community. 

I worked with Volleyball Alberta for several years and working with the young athletes, I saw myself in them. Seeing their ambition and their drive, and being able to be the coach I wish I had at a young age – to feel really believed in. Kind of that role model side of it was super cool. After working with Team Alberta, it told me more how much I want to have my own facility, and wanted to be there watching that development because I think it's the coolest thing.

What are some of your favourite memories from your time with the Griffins?

All the dance parties in the team room and the karaoke on the bus with a little microphone. The bus driver probably hated us. All of that chanting and crazy energy off the court. 

I think on top of that when it clicked on the court. We didn't get all the wins all of the time, so when we did, it just felt that much more special. It really felt like all the stuff we did off the court helped us bond on the court in those tough minutes. I remember one set Dusty's year – it was the last game of the season and we were down 18-11 with half our starting lineup on and half our bench on. And we came back and won the set. That's one of the core memories. It was just everyone involved, and it felt like we worked the whole season for that moment.

Who's the best karaoke singer on the bus?

Madi Stevens or Sarah McGee

What would you like to be remembered for? What's your legacy with the program?

I'm stealing this from Alyshia in one of the senior videos. Leaving my jersey in a better place is the number one thing. I hope No. 4 is who I was – works hard, is a selfless player and is looking out for the collective and wanting what's best for the team. It was always about who I was around, not myself. 

How I want to be remembered is I remember all my teammates and all the little things they did. I feel like I'm leaving the program with a piece of them in my identity as I go on with life. I hope that some of the girls on the team remember little things (about me) – whether it was smiling and laughing or being there for teammates when they're struggling – I hope each person in some way wants to take that piece of me to be that teammate when I'm gone. 

We got to shape our own culture, too. We had new coaches coming in, so we started to shape that, and I hope it continues in the same direction, constantly improves and gets better.

You talk about being a selfless teammate. Libero is often that position. What was it like to switch to that your final year?

It was unexpected. I think I worked hard for it and I'm glad it worked out for me. But it was a big adjustment, and it was hard. I'm coming into a new role, I'm feeling like the weak link on the team – 'I need to get a good pass, I need to get a good dig'. When I wasn't getting it, I really wanted to improve. I think the coolest thing about it was looking at my stats. From weekend to weekend to weekend, I just improved. Some of my best games were against the strongest teams. My thought process never changed going into those games. 

I'm very happy with the growth I saw over the season playing in the libero role. It was hard, it was challenging, but I think it's good to go out feeling challenged. I got to finish on a high and it made all the sacrifices as a student-athlete all worth it to finish on the court with my best friends. I felt like I helped the team a lot this season. We had a very strong passing year. I passed over 2.1. I don't even know how. Looking back, I guess that was all the hard work that I didn't even know was building up to this last year.

Anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

It's hard. People tell you it's hard and it doesn't really mean anything until you do it. That's what makes it even more special is going through the 'hard' with the team and growing. Just getting the opportunity to challenge yourself and want to go through the hard times. I'm just so grateful for it. All the people from the admin staff to the Athletic Therapy staff to the professors and friends at school to the teammates and the parents. All of that made it so much more worth it. It wasn't just a sport. It was truly a community for five years and I think that's the part I'll miss most.

ALYSHIA BRYKS

(2020-25)

Chris Wandler coach's quote:

In the two years I've been here, (she's had) lots of quiet leadership. A lot of her talking is with her play on the court. Definitely, Alyshia brings a presence and a leadership that is more dictated by her play.

Alyshia Bryks is leading the Griffins in kills in her final season (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Q&A with Alyshia Bryks

What are you going to be graduating with and when?

Bachelor of Science, major in chemistry, minor in biology. I still have another semester.

Do you have a career goal in mind?

The hope is to be a veterinarian. But my Plan B is to go for my Master's in Chemistry and possibly Forensic Science.

You've won three U SPORTS Academic All Canadian honours. Your team has done well in the classroom in general. What's that meant to be a part of that culture?

I feel like it's a very proud thing to be because our team is so academically inclined – how that's a part of our identity.

What are some of your favourite memories over your time with the Griffins?

One is our team bonding last year – just painting rocks, making friendship bracelets and little charms for our bags. We went to someone's farm and spent the night there and hung out.

You've had a really good last year leading the team in kills. What's that been like to step up into a bigger role this season?

I feel really good about ending like this, actually. It definitely leaves me in a good spot to put my jersey down and be like 'I'm proud of where I leave it.'

How would you like to be remembered? What's your legacy with the program?

Definitely as someone who always showed up to get the job done that needed to be done.

Is there anything you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

Just keep pushing through no matter what – through the hard times, through the good times. It's very fulfilling. 

DANIELLE JODOIN

(2020-25)

Chris Wandler coach's quote:

In my two years here, she's been a leader in all aspects of the team. Her leadership style is on the side of empathy, but wanting the best out of everybody. She's a quiet, driven young woman. That goes with her work ethic in the weight room. She had tremendous results, which led to her play on the court. It's just unfortunate what happened to her in that second match this year because she was just building up for a huge fifth year.

Danielle Jodoin suffered a season-ending kneed injury in the second game of the 2024-25 season, but hasn't let that dampen her spirit and strong leadership qualities (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Q&A with Danielle Jodoin:

What are you going to be graduating with and when?

I have my preceptorship for nursing in the fall, so I graduate in the winter technically. I'm planning on being an ER nurse for about two years and then becoming a travel nurse afterwards.

What does that entail?

I would just pick up contracts around the world. I definitely need experience first, though.

What inspired you to look into that career option?

I think while I'm young and don't have anything set in my life right now, I think it's a good time to explore career-wise things that might be out of my comfort zone or interests. I can switch to something else if I don't find it as maintainable when I'm older.

You have had a U SPORTS Academic All Canadian award every year. What's it like be a part of the academic success of your whole team?

Since my first year, any time I was feeling unmotivated, all the girls on the team were very motivating and always studying. I feel like we set a culture of helping each other out and being productive in the team room, on the road travelling and in airports – just keeping each other accountable to having good grades.

What stands out as some of your favourite memories with the Griffins?

I can't remember what year it was. I think it was my third year. We swept Brandon and our team went out for the night and just bonded. It was so fun just having a weekend where we finally had a sweep. 

Also, just the friends I've made over the years that I've created such good memories with – older teammates I catch up with every so often. Lifelong friends.

What was it like playing with your sister (Renee Jodoin)?

It was very awesome. I think it was such a great bonding experience to go through that together. The beginning of university is a very scary thing sometimes, so it was nice to have someone to do all the tasks with – make sure you're up to go to the airport – and just relate in that aspect with.

Obviously, this final season hasn't gone the way you wanted with the injury. What have you learned through the experience? 

I feel like I always took such good care of myself that I never thought this would happen to me. It just gave me a lot of respect for teammates in the past who have been there and shown up when they didn't want to and felt discouraged. I think being injured has also taught me a lot about separating myself from volleyball. Lots of student-athletes once they graduate, they kind of have – not a mid-life crisis – but their whole identity was being an athlete. I think I've done a good job throughout the years making sure I have work-life-sport balance in terms of school, friendships, my family and any hobbies I have. 

I realize I've done a good job balancing all that and I'm happy I did that, so I wasn't as devastated when I wasn't physically able to contribute to the team. I contribute by supporting my teammates, giving them advice and maybe giving them a confidence boost. Being a cheerleader.

How would you like to be remembered? What's your legacy with the program?

I feel like I already answered this question (laughs). I want to be remembered as driven, passionate and a kind teammate.

Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

I would just like to thank everyone that supported me through these whole five years. I know not everyone understands the dedication that it takes to be on a sports team and that you really can't miss that practice. It's just a lot of time spent. I really appreciate everyone around me that's (invested) into that time and understood when I can't make things. Just all the coaches that have coached me throughout the years. I think each and every one of them has made me into the player and person I am today through life advice they've given.

LAUREN TENSEN

(2020-25)

Chris Wandler coach's quote:

"Nothing but resilience. That girl is everything about the Griffins and everything about team She's battled through injury and adversity her whole career but has always put the team first. Nothing but respect for Lauren."

Lauren Tensen has been the picture of resiliency, going through several injuries during her time at MacEwan (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Q&A with Lauren Tensen:

What are you going to be graduating with and when?

I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, major in marketing and minor in management.

Do you have a career goal in mind?

I want to go into sports marketing and next year I'm going to be going to Newcastle University in the U.K. to get a Master's in Digital Marketing. And I'll also be playing volleyball there, as well.

Is that a university league?

There are two leagues they play in. It's kind of like ACAC or lower U SPORTS (calibre), so it should be pretty fun volleyball still. Chris got an e-mail from a recruiter/agent and he knew I was looking to do a Master's somewhere, so he sent me the information. That's kind of how I found it.

What are some of your favourite memories over your time with the Griffins?

At the beginning of each year, we do a retreat. So, we've gone to Mariah (Bereziuk's) farm a couple times. We've gone to Arden (Butler's) cabin. Those are just really good team bonding activities. We really get to know each other. We do some fun, cheesy team bonding things. Speed dating was one that we usually do.

Has that helped with the overall chemistry of the team?

I think it gives it a boost at the beginning of the season. My first and second year, there were a lot of new players and players we haven't played with before. That definitely helped. It also helped the recruits get comfortable with everyone as well.

How would you like to be remembered here? What's your legacy with the program?

I would like to be remembered as one who works hard and is resilient. I've gone through a lot of injuries. Some people might think, 'oh, you've been injured so many times. Why don't you just quit?' But I haven't wanted to. I just loved the sport so much and I didn't want to quit something I knew I could finish. 

How many different injuries?

Last year – broken hand – and hurt my ankle really bad at the end of the year. Then my third year, I had a lot of back issues and concussions, as well. 

Anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

I've grown a lot as a player and a person, as well. Coming in, I was pretty quiet and now I feel like I've found my voice, found who I am and how I play, as well. Thank you to the program for that.