Griffins volleyball teams set to kick off 2022-23 campaign Oct. 21 vs. Winnipeg
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Variety is coming back in a big way as the Canada West volleyball loop returns to normal out of the pandemic.
After a season facing only Alberta schools under a regional format, the MacEwan Griffins are set to play a 24-game schedule in 2022-23 that features matches against every opponent in the conference.
Among the highlights for MacEwan's teams is the first visit from the UFV Cascades, who are coming off their inaugural Canada West season in 2021-22. The Griffins will host them for a doubleheader on Jan. 13-14 at the David Atkinson Gym.
SEE THE FULL WOMEN'S SCHEDULE HERE
SEE THE FULL MEN'S SCHEDULE HERE
Officially, the 2022-23 campaign will get underway for the Griffins on Oct. 21-22 as they host Winnipeg (all home games David Atkinson Gym).
"We are excited to return to a full schedule of Canada West play and travel," said Griffins men's head coach Brad Poplawski. "We were very happy to compete again last year after missing a year due to COVID, but it will be nice to return to a full schedule and give the athletes the full Canada West experience."
New this season, the Griffins will be alternating the times of women's and men's games on the second day of doubleheaders. Friday action always begins at 6 p.m. with the women's match, followed by the men's at 7:30 p.m. But on Saturdays, the men's game will kick off the action at 4 p.m., followed by the women's match at 5:30 p.m.
Among other highlights of the schedule is matches against cross-town rival Alberta on Jan. 20-21 (both at the Saville Centre).
The Griffins will conclude the 2022-23 campaign at home against Mount Royal University (Feb. 17-18).
To qualify for the post-season, MacEwan will need to finish among the top eight teams. If they do, they'll be involved in best-of-three quarter-final matches on Feb. 24-26. Following that, the semifinals go March 3-5 with the gold and bronze single elimination matches set for March 10.
The U SPORTS national championship tournaments scheduled for March 16-19 (women – UBC and men – McMaster).
