Visit to MRU, home-opening matches vs. Regina kickstart 2019-20 campaign for Griffins
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After coming so close to the first Canada West playoff berth in program history last season, the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team will aim to hit the ground running when their 2019-20 schedule kicks off with a visit to Mount Royal University on Oct. 18-19.
The Griffins finished 12-12 last season, only to lose a three-way tiebreaker for the final two post-season positions in heartbreaking fashion. It came down to the sets won/lost tiebreaker and MacEwan fell short by the slimmest of margins (43-49 to Manitoba and MRU's 44-48).
With that in mind, MacEwan's veteran team will certainly cherish the value of every set, no matter how early in the season. After opening the campaign on the road against rival MRU, the Griffins return to the David Atkinson Gym for their home opener against Regina on Oct. 25-26.
MacEwan wraps up the season by hosting Thompson Rivers University Feb. 7-8. In between is a plethora of interesting and tough matches, including hosting perennial contender and cross-town rival Alberta twice – Jan. 17-18.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE MACEWAN GRIFFINS 2019-20 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
"For the second straight year, we have a competitively balanced schedule hilted by a tough back to back on the road in the first semester with Trinity Western and Calgary, and then a two-week homestand in the second semester with UBC and U of A," explained head coach Ken Briggs.
"If Canada West holds to form, the push for the playoffs will revolve how we handle the other four teams in the second semester, although we learned this past season that every set all year counts."
If the Griffins manage to snare a Canada West playoff spot for the first time in program history, they will play Feb. 21-23 in one of four best-of-three quarter-final series. The conference semifinals are slated for Feb. 28 to March 1 – two best-of-three series at the homes of the highest seeds.
The Canada West championship game – a single elimination match at the higher seed – goes March 7. The U SPORTS national championship will be contested at Calgary this season, running March 12-15.
For fans looking to watch the action, 2019-20 Canada West TV passes are now on sale, with the best early-bird pricing available until the end of June. An all-access pass ($79.99), or a soccer sport pass ($31.99), can be purchased by clicking here.
Season tickets will be available for sale on Sept. 14 online or in person at the Christenson Centre for Sport and Wellness.
