EDMONTON – Buoyed by a raucous crowd of nearly 700 for a volleyball season opener that's been anticipated for more than a year-and-a-half, the MacEwan Griffins men's volleyball team let the nervous energy get the better of them early against cross-town rival Alberta on Friday.

They settled in eventually, but still suffered a 3-0 loss (25-18, 25-16, 25-18) to the team Canada West coaches voted as the top squad in the loop in their annual preseason poll. The win extends the Bears streak over the Griffins, which now stands at 16-0 all-time. 

Playing just eight players in the match, Alberta rolled on the shoulders of Jordan Canham (10 kills and a .571 hitting percentage) and veteran setter Max Elgert's 28 assists.

Jefferson Morrow led the Griffins with eight kills, Ethan Nashim had seven and Alexei Walisser posted six – the latter two players being former ACAC stars, who were seeing Canada West action for the first time.

The teams will meet in the rematch on Saturday (3:30 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).