Griffins score historic first Canada West playoff win with 3-1 triumph over UFV that ties series

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

-with files from UFV Athletics

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Dogged determination on defence, a double program record performance from Alyshia Bryks and a collective will to keep their season alive spurred the Griffins women's volleyball team to a historic night on Saturday.

MacEwan won its first Canada West post-season match since joining the conference in 2014, topping the UFV Cascades 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 27-25, 25-18) to tie their best-of-three Play-In series 1-1.

"I told the girls that," said Griffins head coach Chris Wandler. "They were super pumped. They didn't know that. It's pretty awesome.

"It's very special that we could do that with those four graduating fifth years. They've put so much time, effort, sweat, blood, you name it, into the program. It's super special that they get that opportunity to have that win."

The result forces a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday (4 p.m. MT, Canada West TV).

Bryks paced the Griffins with 17 kills and 21.0 points, which broke previous program records for the most in each category by a MacEwan women's volleyball player in a playoff match.

It's all tied up!
Alyshia Bryks ends Set 2 in the @MacEwanGriffins' favour and it's dead even in #YXX in Game 2 with the @UFVCascades.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/UecmbC0Gvt

— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) February 22, 2026

"Collectively, we were a very determined bunch to just stabilize our game and come out with some fight," said Wandler. "So, shout out to everybody who did that today. Alyshia is just so determined to compete for every point. It's just unreal that she can do that night in and night out. It's quite remarkable.

"Payton (Shimoda) is a fifth-year setter, and I think when you recognize you have a hot hand, you roll with it. That's what Alyshia was. She just went to her, and she kept on scoring."

W��| RECAP
Dogged determination on D, 2 program records from Alyshia Bryks & an undying will to stay alive in the @CanadaWest playoffs propels @GriffinsWVB to first @USPORTS_VBall post-season win, 3-1 over @UFVCascades to tie series.#GriffNation

STORY➡️https://t.co/hDV7a6sZxm pic.twitter.com/RfZX3bTHYD

— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) February 22, 2026

Shimoda recorded 36 assists, one shy of the program playoff record, while Kara Frith matched the mark for the most aces by a Griffin in a post-season game with three, adding 12 kills. Arden Butler chipped in with 10 kills, while Anika Buys had seven on a .412 percentage, adding five blocks.

Despite all of that, the Griffins' defence might have been their best trait. Multiple points were kept alive on long rallies.

"The defence was organized and it was just tenacious," said Wandler. "I'll give you an example. Ella Graves coming in a serving sub and she just had a couple remarkable pancake digs – hand hits the floor, ball hits her hand and pops right up. We make a good second contact and end up winning the point. 

"Those things went in our favour because we were just dogged and determined to not lose a single point in that match. We were in it in every single point."

MAKIN' PANCAKES!
While the Griffins didn't get this point in the fourth set, the back-to-back pancake blocks by Ella Graves and Payton Shimoda highlighted how well they played defence in a 3-1 Game 2 win.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/Yxspvr3d6e

— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) February 22, 2026

MacEwan struggled to get their offence rolling in the opening set, as they had 10 errors and just nine kills. UFV took advantage and continued where they left off on Friday, collecting 12 kills with just four errors, en route to a 25-18 opening set win. 

The Griffins rebounded in the second, as kills from Frith and Butler forced a UFV timeout with MacEwan up 7-3. The quick lead would prove to be massively important as both teams traded shots for much of the set. After Bryks combined with Buys, for a big block to set up set point, Bryks finished off the frame 25-18 with a kill down the line. 

"I think we just reminded them where their hitting zones were," said Wandler of the turnaround between Sets 1 and 2. "We passed the ball a little bit better. I think Kara started to settle down and find the court and Arden was super solid tonight. 

"I think it was just a determined bunch of Griffins that wasn't going to take no for an answer. It was just a little bit of a shift and know that we can compete with the team we're playing against today."

We can promise you that the @MacEwanGriffins win this epic final point of Set 3 after the feed cuts out.
Enjoy a tremendous rally on both sides until then.
Psst: It was Anika Buys with the kill to win it 27-25.
It's 2-1 Griffins in #YXX.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/dqgZOKaJJU

— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) February 22, 2026

Both teams struggled with attacking errors in the third, combining for 11 in the early part of the frame. UFV would grab an 18-13 advantage after a Cailin Bitter service run, but gritty play from the Griffins would see them claw back to tie it up at 19. After the teams traded short runs, MacEwan would fend off a UFV set point before scoring three straight to close out the set 27-25.

Frith took over for the Griffins to start the fourth, scoring two kills and two aces to help her team grab a 6-1 lead. A pair of Bryks kills would stretch the advantage to 18-9 and, despite a late charge from UFV, MacEwan would hold on to seal the match 25-18.

HISTORY MADE!
The @MacEwanGriffins have won a @CanadaWest playoff match for the first time since joining @USPORTS_VBall in 2014.
They wrapped up a 3-1 win over @UFVCascades with authority and have tied their play in series 1-1.
Game 3 goes Sunday at 4 PM MT.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/3bFS0k60wv

— GriffinsWVB (@GriffinsWVB) February 22, 2026

UFV's Talia Attieh had a team-high 11 kills to go with 12 digs in the match, while Lauren Attieh added 10 kills, and Cailin Bitter chipped in 26 assists and three aces.

So, Sunday is for the right to stay alive and advance to a quarterfinal series next weekend. After winning the last three sets in a row, the Griffins are brimming with confidence.

"It's everything," said Wandler. "The fact that you know you can do it, it puts pressure right back on that home side and the momentum swings to our side. 

"Our job now is we've got to get back to the hotel and get some nourishment and we're going to rest and recover, watch some film and we're going to get ready for tomorrow."