The Griffins resumed second semester action with a two game set January 29 and 30 against the SAIT Trojans. It was to be the first league matches between the schools since the 2007-2008 ACAC season.

The Trojans came into the weekend as heavy favourites over the struggling Griffins as they already earned the right to host provincials after a strong first place showing in the south during first semester play. However, the Griffins felt prepared to knock off the Provincial hosts and get their season headed back in the right direction.

Friday night the Griffins visited the Trojans, beginning a stretch where they play three of their final four matches on the road to close out the regular season. The first set opened with the Griffins holding their own against the Trojans. However, as has happened far too often this semester, they were unable to make a big play at a crucial moment and dropped the set 25-20. To make matters worse for the visitors, they dug themselves an early hole to begin the second set. In fact it took the Trojans being up 21-17 before the Griffins showed some fight and battled back in the set. Closing the gap one point at a time the boys from MacEwan were able to claw back into a tie. But unfortunately again they were unable to get the one dig or block that would have turned the set in their favour and lost a heartbreaker 31-29 to go down two sets.

Undeterred the Griffins came out firing in the third and lead by strong serving and passing were able to build a lead that they weren't about to give up. They eventually closed out the set 25-17 to creep closer in the match now only trailing two sets to one. In spite of this strong performance in the third the Griffins were unable to carry it into the fourth. And as the story of the Griffins semester has been, as goes the passing so goes the team. Despite their best efforts the Griffins couldn't get into a rhythm in the set and succumbed to the Trojan pressure falling 25-16 to drop their seventh in a row three sets to one. Third year leftside Ryan McDonald was awarded player of the game for the Griffins.

Even with the disappointment of the loss the night before, the Griffins played arguably their best match of the semester and if not for a couple of bounces going the way of the Trojans, very easily could have come away with the win. With this knowledge, the Griffins came back to Edmonton for Saturday's last home game of the regular season full of confidence that they could get the job done. The first set saw the Griffins fight hard but in the end it was a service ace that allowed the Trojans to jump out to a one set lead with a 25-19 win.

As the second set began the Griffins were still struggling to get anything going. Falling behind 17-12, the home side was faced with a "here we go again" scenario. However, fuelled by huge blocks and digs the Griffins came all the way back and were rewarded with a 25-22 win, tying the match at a set a piece. Taking advantage of their new found momentum, the Griffins were able to pull out a 27-25 third set nail biter that gave them the opportunity to close out the match in the fourth.  The Trojans however had different ideas and completely dismantled the Griffins 25-11 to force a fifth and deciding set.

Despite the lopsided defeat, the Griffins began the fifth set playing with a confidence not seen out of this group all year and when it came time for the teams to change sides the Griffins held an 8-2 lead. However at this point the Griffins may have let the thought of the finish line creep into their heads as they slowly relinquished the lead until it was 14-13 in favour of SAIT. But, just like star players are supposed to when the game is on the line, it was Ryan McDonald that came up huge ripping a ball off the head of a Trojan blocker and out the back to tie the match at 14-14. After the teams traded points it was first year left-side Stephen Miazga's turn to play hero as he came up with a one-on-one block against ACAC kill leader Kenny Rauwerda to put the Griffins up 16-15. With the Griffins one point away from ending their long losing skid everyone in the building was holding their breath as William Pasieka went back to serve. He put the Trojans into trouble and after a Mark Breakwell dig it was up to fourth year middle Tristan Locke to put the Griffins back into the win column and he made no mistake.  As the ball landed untouched on the Trojan's side, the Griffins were able to celebrate a long overdue win.

Although it was once again Ryan McDonald who was named player of the game for his phenomenal outing coming up with huge blocks, kills and digs all night long, an honourable mention could be given to setter Dustin Marcinkevics who ran a strong offence all weekend helping the team remove the giant gorilla that was hanging from its back.

With the win the Griffins are able to head into their bye weekend feeling a little better about their situation. Although there is still plenty of work to be done, the win keeps the Griffins alive to finish fourth in the division and therefore avoid having to play a crossover series against a team from the bottom division for the right to go to provincials. All that stands in their way is a pair of must win matches in Grand Prairie to close out the regular season. But with so much on the line and an extra week to prepare there is no reason to believe the boys can't come away with two wins. The next chance to see the Griffins in Edmonton will come March 11-13 when they host the CCAA National Championship.

MacEwan Athletics is now webcasting games live. You can watch by clicking on: http://www.sportscanada.tv/