Briercrest Proves Resilient Over Lethbridge in Four

By Jeff Misener

The Briercrest Clippers (9-2) stepped into the second half of their 2023-24 men's volleyball campaign with a stern test against the Lethbridge Kodiaks (7-4). The Clippers found the strength needed to defeat the visitors 17-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22. 

Lethbridge opened the proceedings with some remarkable team defense. Both teams showed resolve and purpose on their attack, with Clippers' Karym Coleman and Adam Revet trading blows with Kodiaks' Nolan Moes and Paul Dionne. Lethbridge found gaps in the normally reliable reception game of the hosts and put up some impressive blocks on the Briercrest hitters to seize the first set.

The teams traded blows to open the second frame, highlighted by Briercrest's Jackson Anderson's punishing attacks. The Clippers surged ahead as middle TJ Ward painted the corner with a floater and Anderson delivered four aces in succession. The Kodiaks displayed some defensive grit to stay close before a service error awarded the home team the set. 

Crisp play and frenetic struggles featured prominently in set three. Coleman's offense and Ward's impeccable serving cancelled out the hitting of Kodiaks' Shaye Wall and Dionne. Briercrest hitter Cole Johnson launched the crowd into frenzied delight with a set of memorable kills. Coleman tattooed the Lethbridge libero and Ward attacked an unpatrolled middle as Briercrest stood tall in the crucial moments. 

Clippers' Brady Watchel opened set four with the dig of the season, diving half the width of the court to save an errant ball and score a point. After capturing a healthy lead, sloppiness crept into the Clippers' play and the Lethbridge squad found another gear. Adam Revet scored on a thunderous middle kill and solo block on back-to-back plays to give Briercrest an emotional advantage, but Moes showed his veteran leadership as the visitors pressed hard. A superb dig by Clippers' setter Jeremy Martens capped an exciting match. 

Kohlbe Anderson paced Lethbridge with eight kills, three aces and two digs on his way to Player of the Game honours. Clippers' Cole Johnson, starting at outside hitter for the first time at Briercrest, electrified the crowd with nine digs and five kills.