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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Mar 12, 2022

Eagles fly past Clippers for ACAC bronze

Eagles fly past Clippers for ACAC bronze
Program Tickets Box Score
Game Leaders
TKU
K: Sam Lieuwen - 21
B: Ashley Lockwood - 4
D: 2 Players (#02, #15) - 16
SA: Jada Lea - 5
BC
K: 3 Players (#11, #12, #15) - 10
B: 2 Players (#10, #12) - 4
D: Savanna Boot - 25
SA: Julia Beer - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

Red Deer, AB – After dropping the opening set, The King's University Eagles dug deep in Saturday's Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) bronze medal match.

The Briercrest College Clippers came strong out of the gates, but The King's University Eagles found their rhythm, rattling off the next three sets for bronze (14-25, 25-23, 25-20 and 25-21).

During regular season competition, The King's University Eagles (12-4) and Briercrest College Clippers (12-4) had identical records. However, the Eagles finished third in the ACAC North Division and the Briercrest College Clippers (12-4) placed second in the south.  

Led by outside hitter Faith Buhler, the Briercest College Clippers jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the first set. The fourth year middle from Portage La Prairie quickly recorded four kills and three blocks from the right side. The Clippers were able to extend their lead and capped off a 25-14 win. Five-foot-11 middle Kristyn Shannon (one block) and six-foot-one middle Ashley Lockwood (one block) helped to create a net presence for the Eagles.

The second set featured extended rallies and strong defensive play from both sides. Shannon's second kill of the match lifted the Eagles ahead 7-6. In a back-and-forth set, Briercrest's fourth-year outside hitter Reece Sorenson's fourth kill knotted it up 18-18. Eventually, second-year left side Sam Lieuwen's seventh kill sealed a 25-23 decision for the Eagles.

Eagles fourth-year setter Jada Lea made her presence known from the service line. Recording consecutive aces, the Eagles grabbed a 5-4 edge in the third set. The King's University was able to maintain a margin throughout the set. Lea connected with first-year outside hitter Brookie Risselada (nine kills) to bump the Eagles ahead 13-11. The King's University built on that margin and fourth-year right side Lauren Kroetsch wrapped up a 25-20 victory with her eighth kill.

A 7-1 start for the Eagles in the fourth set resulted in Clippers Head Coach Nolan Weinmaster calling a timeout. After trailing 12-1, the Clippers began to pull themselves back into set, going on a 5-2 run (6-14). During that stretch, Rachel Stead had a couple of kills for Briercrest. The connection between Eagles setter Lea and outside hitter Lieuwen only got better as the match progressed. Lieuwen recorded her 21st kill to propel King's University ahead by 10 (20-10). The Clippers showed perseverance, going on an 8-1 run (18-21). During that stretch, Stead, Buhler and Kacey de jong scored points for Briercrest. A kill from Shannon sealed a 25-21 win for the Eagles, and a bronze medal.

Eagles Player of the Game Kroetsch totaled 11 kills, 13 digs and one block. Lieuwen had a match high 21 kills, along with 12 digs and one assist. Risselada contributed 11 kills, 12 digs and two assists. Lea had 38 assists, five aces, and 16 digs for King's University.

Clippers Player of the Match Savanna Boot, a fourth-year libero, contributed 25 digs and a pair of assists. Sorensen, Buhler and Beer had 10 kills apiece. Setter Jessica Zacharias totaled 39 assists, 16 digs, one ace and a block for Briercrest.