Core group of five returning starters, bolstered by strong recruiting class, has Griffins optimistic for 2025-26
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T |
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Team Stats
Calgary
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .194 | .248 |
| Blocks | 11.0 | 9.0 |
| Digs | 55 | 67 |
| Aces | 11 | 13 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Yes, the Griffins women's volleyball team will be on the young side this season with eight first-year players.
But they aren't expected to miss a beat with five of seven starters returning, including four fifth-years.
So, expectations are strong that they'll be able to snare one of 10 playoff spots up for grabs.
"The first half is going to be a really good indicator of how we're going to do," said MacEwan head coach Chris Wandler, whose squad dropped out of the playoff picture last season after finishing sixth in the conference in 2023-24. "Actually, the first weekend is. Calgary is going to be one of those teams we're competing with for a playoff spot.
"I would think a playoff spot, we should be talking about. That should be within our depth range – finishing in that top 10. That's where we project ourselves to be."
MacEwan opens the 2025-26 season at Calgary on Friday (6:45 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m., both Canada West TV).
Their home-opening weekend is set for Oct. 24-25 vs. Thompson Rivers (5 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday).
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A core group of five – setter Payton Shimoda, outside hitters Alyshia Bryks, Arden Butler and Kara Frith, and middle blocker Anika Buys – will drive the bus for the Griffins, while new additions to the starting lineup include middle Alana Murr (a Douglas College all-star transfer) and libero Kaitlin Rolph (who gained experience as a backup last season).
Alyshia Bryks is back for her final season of eligibility after leading the Griffins in kills in 2024-25 (Taylor Lafond photo).
"Alyshia's solid," said Wandler of his kills leader from 2024-25 who decided just before the season she indeed wanted to return for her fifth year of eligibility. "Her wanting to come back – obviously it's taken her a while to get into some game shape – but now she's cranking on all cylinders.
"Arden and Kara, their first contact has been exactly what we need in order for us to win volleyball games. That's very critical. They're smart and athletic and they're able to put away the ball.
"Anika, her ability to read attackers, get her hands up in key moments in the blocking scheme is really important. Those five are a big part of what we're going to be doing this year."
That also includes setter Shimoda, who is the linchpin of the entire lineup. She returns as floor captain for a second-straight season. Already the program's all-time leader in assists (2,144), she has an outside chance to join exclusive company, needing 797 assists in 2025-26 to crack the top-10 all-time in Canada West history.
"I think being a fifth-year starter, it's kind of a little bit of a legacy moment because I'm not sure if there have been any other five-year starters in her position," said Wandler. "For her, she could be the first. That by itself is very impressive. Number one, you've got to stay healthy. It's a testament to her perseverance, working through multiple teammates and coaches, as well.
"She's super adaptable, but then she's very adamant regarding how she wants her teammates to work, to carry themselves, just to be a Griffin."
That leadership is set to pay off now and in the future for the program as the Griffins have 10 new players on the roster this season, who've been acclimated into the team's culture.
"It's important to have that veteran piece because they are the example-makers," said Wandler. "They're the ones who are going to leave their mark on the program once they graduate. I think they're hungry. I'm really happy to have them back, I'm really happy for them to want to go out and compete and leave their mark."
The 2025-26 Griffins women's volleyball team poses for a photo during the team's media day in August (Taylor Lafond photo).
Murr and Anna von Krosigk transferred into MacEwan after all-star turns in PAC West with Douglas College, while several promising rookies also joined the fold, including Red Deer's Chloe Penz, Bara Hodanova from Slovakia, and twin sisters Addison and Alyssa Piekema from Lethbridge.
"Lots of growth already at this point," said Wandler. "They get to compete against the older players, so it really elevates their game, really quick. The twins are just uber athletic. There's so much more ahead of them.
"Chloe Penz is a phenomenal athlete who is learning to play at a really high level above the net. Her passing and defence is by far some of the best on the team.
"Bara's coming off a concussion here. She's got a super heavy arm. The speed of the game is a little much right now, so she's learning to deal with that. But every day she gets a small percentage better. It's looking really promising with that group."
They form the depth of the roster, which will be relied upon as well, if the Griffins are going to have success this season.
"Obviously at this time of year, it's still lots of growing, but the trust factor is getting there, the compete level's always been there," said Wandler. "It's whether or not we can endure long rallies and finish them off, and have enough competitive endurance to compete with those tough teams in Canada West."
