Lethbridge Squeaks by Clippers in Five

By Jeff Misener

Following Friday's exciting action, the Briercrest Clippers (10-2) and Lethbridge Kodiaks (7-5) met once again in ACAC men's volleyball action. In another emotionally charged match, the Kodiaks were full value for a gutsy 19-25, 25-20, 25-27, 25-19, 18-16 victory. 

Both teams' offenses were in mid-match form off the hop, with Clippers' Cole Johnson and Kodiaks' Nolan Moes exhibiting eagerness and bold intent in their initial attacks. Briercrest's Jackson Anderson and Karym Coleman had their way against the Kodiaks' blockers in the late stages of the set. Following Johnson's exit due to injury, Coleman tooled the block to secure the set. 

Blocking on both sides tightened up in set two. Lethbridge's Paul Dionne took advantage of his opportunities to push the Alberta school ahead, but Jackson Anderson and teammate Adam Revet had the answer. Coleman threaded a shot down the line against a triple block, but Dionne quickly replied. A timely ace from Lethbridge substitute Sam Crighton helped his squad even the match. 

Lethbridge brought early energy to set three, but Tanner Bean's play pushed Briercrest into the lead. Shaye Wall rejected Coleman to tie things up, but Bean and Revet found openings in the middle. With both teams fully invested in the game, Coleman and Lethbridge middle Karl Petker exchanged blows. Inspired by Johnson's surprise return to action, Coleman and Bean combined to put the finishing touches on the period. 

Stepping into the fray, Sam Bender supplied Briercrest with a positive mindset after a draining third set. On the heels of an emphatic kill from Bean and an ace from Jackson Anderson, the visitors turned to Moes for a boost. Lethbridge charged ahead with Dionne on serve and capitalized on errors by Briercrest to send the match to the limit. 

Superb attacking from Briercrest and robust defense from Lethbridge marked the first half of a tightly contested fifth set. In quick succession, Bean rejected Moes and Anderson stuffed Dionne. Down the stretch, Dionne and Coleman converted important touches, but the final point came from Moes' hand. 

The Lethbridge Kodiaks were paced by Paul Dionne, who racked up 23 kills to go with two aces and two digs. Karym Coleman was superb in defeat, smashing 24 kills and two aces along with a block and three digs.