SAIT Sweeps Clippers to advance to Gold

The first semi-final of the day was an all South matchup between the SAIT Trojans and the Briercrest Clippers. Both teams coming off impressive victories the previous day, hoped to maintain this level of play into the second day of the tournament. Both teams came out firing. It took them some time to settle into the flow of the game and for their passing to crisp up. The Clippers held a slight edge for the majority of the set until the teams were locked at 17. At this point, the Trojans offence kicked into overdrive. Once accelerating out to a 4 point lead, SAIT cruised for the rest of the set, winning on a service error 25-21.

The Second set started in the Clippers favor. With three points out of the gate, the Clippers hoped to build enough momentum to storm back in the game. With the Clippers up 2, teams traded serves back and forth neither gaining a stranglehold on the game. The Clippers slowly pulled away until they hit a wall at 20. SAIT scored 5 straight to move 2 points in to the lead, threatening again late in the set. The clippers responded in kind by tying the set at 24. Teams traded service errors until 2 hard fought points saw SAIT emerge victorious taking the second set 28-26

The Third set started with the Clippers dominating the first few points. Leading 4-1, the clippers hoped to start the comeback and put SAIT away early. The Trojans did not quit. Playing from behind most of the game, they stayed close and won points at crucial points of the game. Service errors started to build for Briercrest. These errors cost the Clippers as SAIT came back to tie the game at 12. With this change in momentum, SAIT carried on maintaining their advantage as the end of the set approached. 3 serves from Tyler Latu'ila extended SAIT's advantage to 2 points, 20-18. A battle on the net helped the clippers gain back some momentum. They tied the set at 21. The Trojans were simply too good on this day putting the Match away, 25-21.