Bryks on fire for Griffins, but not enough energy all around as they fall in straight sets to Manitoba
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
|
13 | 14 | 17 | 0 |
Team Stats
Manitoba
| Game Statistics | Manitoba | MacEwan University |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .284 | .022 |
| Blocks | 10.0 | 5.0 |
| Digs | 35 | 30 |
| Aces | 9 | 1 |
Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — This is the playoff stretch drive, and the MacEwan Griffins are in a fight for their playoff lives.
Facing the defending national champion Manitoba Bisons, the Griffins knew they had to be up for the challenge — but unfortunately they couldn't put it all together in a 3-0 straight sets loss (25-13, 25-14, 25-17) on Friday night at the David Atkinson gym.
"Parts of the game were very frustrating, and parts of the game were much improved from last weekend (against UBC), but we just didn't put it all together," said Griffins head coach Chris Wandler.
"We had too many (self-inflicted) errors… people weren't giving energy. They were too consumed with themselves, and you can't do that in team sports."
It was a tough night in many facets of the game for the Griffins, but Alyshia Bryks was impressive, leading MacEwan with 16 kills, three blocks and three digs, as MacEwan fell to 5-10 this season, and are tied with three other teams for the final playoff spot in the Canada West conference.
Payton Shimoda had a solid all-around game recording 22 assists, nine digs and one kill.
Andy Almonte led the Bisons with 10 kills, four digs, and one ace, while two-time reigning U SPORTS player of the year Raya Surinx had eight kills, five digs and three aces to lift Manitoba to 11-4 in the standings.
"(Bryks) was on fire. She's a total gamer. Her and Payton had a great connection tonight. Payton had a strong defensive game. They were trying to take her out and go out of system, and I thought she did a great job against that," said Wandler.
Alyshia Bryks blasts one of her six kills in the opening set off the side of the block!@MacEwanGriffins trailing 1-0 after dropping Set 1 25-13.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/1eG7hjJ154
— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) January 24, 2026
Wandler felt the Griffins would need to have success at the service line against Manitoba, and he wanted their passing to be stronger, and while he was pleased with those areas of their game, he was disappointed in their 25 attack errors.
While Bryks provided the bulk of the offence with 17.5 points and .231 attack percentage, veterans Arden Butler and Kara Frith struggled, recording just two kills each on a combined 27 attacking attempts.
"We need more production out of our left side… especially with the amount of volume they're getting," said Wandler.
The Griffins were chasing for almost the entirety of the match. They held just one lead in the first two sets (1-0 in the opening set).
They fell behind 9-2 in the first set, and 13-3 in the second set. Digging themselves a big hole early, made it tough to battle back, and Manitoba was able to settle in and just play their style of volleyball without much push back from the Griffins.
The Bisons are a strong blocking team, and the Griffins coaching staff felt MacEwan didn't do a good enough problem-solving and finding ways to get around the block of Manitoba.
"It was a frustrating and disappointing result, and that's what hurts the most in this loss, because I believe in this team so much," said Bryks.
"We got too tense, and we couldn't get ourselves out of certain situations and we'd try, but we need to talk more throughout the rallies. You look on their side, and they'd talk about everything, no matter what."
With the Griffins getting down early in the first two sets, their energy seemed to flatline, while Manitoba's energy was strong right from the opening serve.
"Their energy never dipped. It would go up and just stay consistent throughout. It was always consistent and that was an area where they really beat us in," said Bryks.
Wandler said he didn't see enough of his team bring the energy, not just at key times in each set, but it lacked throughout the entire match.
Alyshia Bryks continues to roll with a match-high 11 kills through two sets, finishing off a nice rally!
— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) January 24, 2026
However, defending @USPORTS_VBall champion @umbisons have opened up a 2-0 lead in the match after winning Set 2 25-14.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/INs4Ppoa8s
With the Griffins down big in the second set, rookie Chloe Penz subbed in and she immediately brought some fight into the lineup.
She chipped in with two kills and one dig in her two sets of action.
"She came in and gave us energy, and she was talking out there and communicating, and we need more of that," said Wandler.
"We only had a couple people bringing (energy). We've talked in our room throughout the whole season, and we had some subs that came in and gave energy, and then it was vacant again, and you can't do that in team sports, it's selfish."
MacEwan showed some fight and battle in the third set, staying with the Bisons through the first half of the set.
A big block from Alana Murr cut Manitoba's lead to 15-12, but a 9-3 run late put the set out of reach.
"We have to take big swings when they're there," said Bryks.
"We shouldn't be intimidated in any way. We're a good team. It's our third last weekend of the regular season. We need to go out swinging and let it all go down."
MacEwan will wrap up their weekend series with Manitoba on Saturday (3 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
NOTABLE: Prior to the match on NAVC Night, Northern Alberta Volleyball Club president Brian Kim was on hand to present a $2,000 scholarship to Griffins libero Kaitlin Rolph, an NAVC alum.
NAVC president Brian Kim, left, presents a $2,000 scholarship to Griffins libero Kaitlin Rolph - an NAVC alum - posing also with MacEwan head coach Chris Wandler (Husain Dhooma photo).
