Eagles Conquer Clippers With Strong Team Effort

By Jeff Misener

The Briercrest Clippers (11-6) closed their 2023-24 home campaign in women's volleyball with a stern test against the King's University Eagles (14-3). The visiting Eagles showed poise and confidence in dispatching of the hosts 25-23, 25-22, 25-19.

Clippers' Julia Beer opened her statistical account with a pair of kills and an ace. Eagles' outside hitter Brooke Risselada made good on her early efforts from the back row and the left side, but Briercrest's Rachel Stead and Faith Buhler provided a swift reply. The Eagles grabbed the lead on McKenna Schrader's serve until Beer reached the front row and started mashing the ball. The Eagles turned to Risselada for the finishing touches in the first set. 

Beer launched the Clippers to a quick lead in set two until the Eagles surged ahead with Kylan FInseth on serve. Even as Beer and Risselada traded blows, the Eagles' strong team play enabled them to establish a healthy lead. The Clippers staged a comeback, led by Stead in the middle and Abby Ulrich's fine serving, until a hitting error put them in a deep hole. 

Set three opened with Beer and Summer Okerstrom slamming the door on Risselada, but it took little time before Finseth and Emma Scheerle returned the favour on Kacey De Jong. With Ashley Lockwood on serve, the Eagles rocketed to a huge advantage. Briercrest clawed back into the game as Stead baffled the Eagles with effective serving and Okerstrom contributing some timely offense. A pair of aces from Beer knotted the game, but down the stretch the Eagles possessed superior chemistry in sweeping the affair.

Player of the Game for the King's University Eagles was Brooke Risselada, who delivered 11 kills, 12 digs, and one block in a winning effort. Maria Tsougrianis collected two kills, one block, and a dig in a commendable substitute role for the Briercrest Clippers.