Lions Can’t Handle Top-Ranked Clippers, Lose In Three

            Despite the absence of heavy-hitter Janae Rapley, the Briercrest Clippers made short work of the hometown Ambrose Lions on Friday night in the Lions' Den. Ambrose Player of the Game Sarah Janz (15 assists, 12 digs) said after the game that consistency was an issue for her team. "I think we had moments of brilliance, but we don't execute all the time and we let too many little points get away from us…I think we're just missing a little bit of fire for that closeout at the end of the game."

            The start of the game featured ferocious blocking from the Lions, which initially kept the score close. After getting a solo block to make it 9-12 Clippers, Lions middle Ali Leskow went back to serve an ace and bring her team within two points. Unfortunately for the home team, two points was as small as the Briercrest lead would get in the first set. The Clippers gradually widened their lead and were up by as many as five heading into the late stages of the set, but Ambrose used strong blocking and clean offensive execution to push back and make it 18-20. The post-twenty points "red zone" proved troublesome for the Lions tonight, as the Clippers proceeded to go on a 5-1 run and win the first set 25-19.

            The second set was as competitive at the first points of the first set, with the Lions keeping a small lead of their own for almost the entire set. Substitution Rivver Flewell (4 kills) started scoring and passing well for the Lions, and aggressive net play from Shae Mendes helped her squad control most of the set. Ambrose led the Clippers by one until a tip from Briercrest POG Samantha Zacharias (17 kills, 5 aces) tied the game up at 20-20, forcing Head Coach Colin Kubinec called a timeout. Again the Clippers picked up steam in the red zone, gaining a quick 23-20 lead that was too much for the Lions to overcome. Set Two ended in favour of the Clippers, 25-22.

            The third and final set saw the Clippers' offense take charge of the game and the Lions defense unable to stop it. Although Ambrose made a late push to bring the game back after being down 10-22, it was simply too large of a deficit. At 18-24, Sam Zacharias swung out of the back row for the final kill and their 18th win of the season.

            "We're just gonna work on the mental side of things, getting the fire we need to pick up the balls that we need to pick up," said Janz. The two teams will play again at 1:00 pm on Saturday; Briercrest has already clinched the first seed in the ACAC South heading into playoffs, while a win for the Lions would really help in their pursuit of the fourth and final South playoff spot. Catch the game on acactv.ca if you can't make it in person. Go Lions!

- Brent Ingram