Clippers Shut Down Kodiaks in Four

By Jeff Misener

The Briercrest Clippers (7-4) opened the second half of their 2023-24 home campaign in women's volleyball with a match against division rival Lethbridge Kodiaks (2-9). A strong team effort earned Briercrest a 25-16, 25-11, 24-26, 25-13 victory.

Little separated the squads in the early moments of the first set, though each team probed for weaknesses. Clippers' Rachel Stead enjoyed a lengthy run of success on serve to give Briercrest a healthy lead. Teammate Faith Buhler fired a pair of aces to extend the advantage, and the hosts used home court to their benefit to secure the set.  

The Clippers controlled the second set, relying on the strength of rookie Abby Ulrich's clinical serving and clever setting. Her teammates contributed to the offensive assault with powerful hitting and stalwart defense. Buhler once again flexed her right arm on serve and led the attacking forces. 

Lethbridge doubled down on defense and flashed serious offensive intent, with Aideena Wickstrom and Shane Fowlie leading the charge. Outside hitter Kourtney Serfas shared in the attack and Wickstrom induced the Clippers into several receiving errors. A monstrous solo block by Stead at 12-20 sparked a comeback that saw Briercrest erase a large deficit, but the Kodiaks steeled themselves to eke out set three. 

Ulrich and veteran hitter Julia Beer enjoyed some convincing chemistry on the attack to open set four even as Beer showed the way for her squad with strong defense. Committed team play and Beer's finishing touches sealed the Clippers' triumph. 

Lethbridge's Kourtney Serfas registered seven kills, six digs, and a pair of aces to earn Player of the Game recognition. For Briercrest, Faith Buhler whacked 12 kills to go with six digs, five aces and two blocks.