Feisty Broncos Take Down Briercrest in Four Sets

by Jeff Misener

After falling short on Friday night against the Olds College Broncos in four highly compelling sets, the Briercrest Clippers men's volleyball team looked to score a victory and strengthen their grip on a playoff berth in the competitive ACAC South Division.

The first wave of joy for the home crowd came when Briercrest middle TJ Ward combined with Karym Coleman for an authoritative block of Matheus Franca, only to have Franca and Strahinja Lazarevic reject Coleman soon after. The Broncos opened a slight gap after Aidyn Phillips' sharp attack. Briercrest briefly drew even before Olds surged again, riding the serve of Phillips and setter Thomas Pugsley. An attacking error for the Clippers gave Olds a 28-26 win in a back-and-forth affair.

Ward pushed Briercrest to a 6-3 lead on his serve, but the Broncos steadied their game to draw even. Hudson Forsberg replaced Jeremy Martens at setter and delivered a terrific ball to Davis Borden on a rare crossing attack for the home team. Pugsley found Franca for a series of successful strikes as the visitors made a run, but Martens returned to the game and promptly fed Ward for a shot down the line. However, Olds exploited gaps in the Briercrest block to steal set two, 25-19.

Olds quickly gained control of set three, but Coleman exerted his veteran leadership, libero Brady Watchel dug up everything in sight, and the Clippers snatched the lead. The sudden shift in momentum drew the ire of the visitors, and after the dust settled, captain Jesse Stoddart was disqualified for the remainder of the set. Martens looked to Coleman at every opportunity, and the veteran from Belize City, Belize did not disappoint. Undeterred, Pugsley and the Broncos fought back. In the waning moments, Tyson Nachtigall rejected Phillip Sutherland's middle attack, and Coleman split a block to give the hosts a tough 25-23 win.

Running on the adrenaline of the third set, Coleman responded to Martens' trust on offense, while Phillips and Grusing carried the Broncos' attack. With Phillips serving, Olds had their best attacking formation in the front row and took advantage of the opportunity to build an insurmountable lead and won going away, 25-16.

Player of the Game for Olds College was Phillip Sutherland, who contributed one dig, six kills and one assist to his team's victory. Brady Watchel registered sixteen digs and seven assists for the Clippers to gain the POG recognition.