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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: Nov 03, 2023

Lakeland Defeats Briercrest in Four Tough Sets

Video Box Score
Game Leaders
LAKE
K: Lana Matthews - 10
B: Lana Matthews - 4
D: 2 Players (#4, #5) - 12
SA: 2 Players (#13, #15) - 2
BC
K: Julia Beer - 14
B: 3 Players (#10, #12, #13) - 4
D: Faith Buhler - 11
SA: 2 Players (#4, #13) - 1
Team Stats
Full stats

By Jeff Misener

The 2022-23 CCAA women's volleyball champion Lakeland Rustlers (3-1) rode into Caronport to battle the south division leading Briercrest Clippers (5-1). In a match featuring elite skill and a high entertainment quotient, the Rustlers prevailed 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23.

An early ace by Lakeland's Raegan Nicol inspired Briercrest veteran Julia Beer to roll up her sleeves on offense. The hosts dominated defensive play at the net and both teams featured deep serving strategies. Clippers' right side Faith Buhler found her rhythm with an array of power and finesse. Setters Jana Laing and Bailey Opseth effortlessly distributed the ball. Down the stretch, Lakeland's Avery Bates led the offensive push that secured the set.

Lakeland gained a healthy lead in set two, but Buhler and Beer led the comeback on offense and Stead stabilized the defense. Lakeland's Lana Matthews and Seanna Trumier traded robust attacks with Beer, while Clippers' Brooklyn Buhler got the better of Bates on a stuff block and smart play at the net. Impressive work by Summer Okerstrom and purposeful serving from Stead allowed Briercrest to steal the frame.

Some magnificent roll shots from Faith Buhler and Beer and thunderous attacking from Stead highlighted action early in the third stanza. Lakeland surged ahead as blockers Bates and Emma Jeffs defended the mesh and Matthews enjoyed a long, fruitful service run. Matthews brought the hammer down as Lakeland took the set.

Matthews and Jeffs traded blocks with Stead and Opseth to start the fourth period. Although Stead and Okerstrom hit upon moments of joy in the middle, Matthews delivered a bomb from the backcourt and Laing and Kaylie rejected Beer on the left side. The Rustlers flexed their championship mettle to gain an advantage and held off a furious rally to come out on top.

Briercrest's Summer Okerstrom registered four blocks, three assists, two kills, and an ace to receive Player of the Game recognition. The visiting Rustlers' Jenay Varga collected 12 digs in earning the POG honour.