Three Stars: Osunde, Ettinger, Kilbreath earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Men's basketball student-athlete Matthew Osunde is the MacEwan Athletics first star of the week after scoring 39 points and filling several other stats categories on the Griffins' home-opening weekend.
Osunde displayed leadership and consistency for the Griffins with 19 points on Friday and 20 on Saturday in a pair of games against Mount Royal University.
Women's volleyball libero Bronwyn Ettinger and women's basketball guard Noelle Kilbreath were named the second and third stars, respectively.
It's the first Three Stars recognition of the 2023-24 season for Osunde and Kilbreath, while Ettinger is being honoured for the second time after being named third star on Sept. 19.
Matthew Osunde flies up the court against Mount Royal last Friday. He scored 39 points in the two-game series (Eduardo Perez photo).
1st STAR: Matthew Osunde, G, men's basketball
Morinville, AB, third-year, Science
If you blinked you would have missed the amount of time Matthew Osunde was taking a breather on the bench during MacEwan's home-opening weekend vs. Mount Royal University.
On the court for a marathon 74 of MacEwan's 80 minutes of action over the two-game series, the team's reigning MVP led the team with consistent production in two competitive games.
In Friday's 101-90 loss, Osunde had 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals.
In Saturday's 87-79 loss, Osunde recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal.
For the season, Osunde leads the Griffins in points per game (19.5), assists (6.0) and steals (2.5).
The Griffins will hit the road this weekend for a series at Saskatchewan on Friday (7 p.m. MT) and Saturday (6 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).
Bronwyn Ettinger was the Griffins' defensive conscience during a weekend series at UFV (Jordie Arthur photo).
2nd STAR: Bronwyn Ettinger, LB, women's volleyball
Edmonton, AB, second-year, Science
Displaying the consistent, sound defensive game that the Griffins rely on, Ettinger recorded 33 digs in just six sets of action on the weekend in Abbotsford, B.C.
In Friday's 3-0 loss to UFV, she had 16 digs, before recording 17 digs in Saturday's straight sets defeat.
More than the numbers, though, Ettinger was the defensive conscience of the Griffins, allowing them to hang around against the No. 7-ranked team in the country.
For the season, Ettinger is second in Canada West in digs (72) and digs/set (3.79), and also leads the Griffins in service receptions with 120 (10th in Canada West).
The Griffins women's volleyball team is enjoying a bye this weekend before getting back into action Nov. 17-18 vs. Brandon.
Noelle Kilbreath puts up a shot against Mount Royal on the weekend. She led the Griffins with 25 points in the two-game series (Railene Hooper photo).
3rd STAR: Noelle Kilbreath, G, women's basketball
Calgary, AB, fourth-year, Science
Named team captain prior to their home-opening weekend, Kilbreath went out and led the Griffins in scoring against Mount Royal University.
In Friday's 76-41 loss, she was the team's co-leader in points with nine, adding seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
In Saturday's 55-51 defeat, Kilbreath scored a match-high 16 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
With the young season just two games in, Kilbreath is tied for 17th in the conference with a 12.5 points per game average.
The Griffins hit the road this weekend for a series at Saskatchewan on Friday (5 p.m. MT) and Saturday (4 p.m., both Canada West TV).
