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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Nov 19, 2022

Clippers Sweep Against NAIT

Box Score
Game Leaders
NAIT
K: Anika Dyck - 8
B: Karly Burkinshaw - 3
D: 2 Players (#08, #17) - 4
SA: Lexi Sabo - 1
BC
K: Faith Buhler - 14
B: Faith Buhler - 3
D: Faith Buhler - 9
SA: 2 Players (#2, #3) - 2
Team Stats
Full stats

The NAIT Ooks women's volleyball team made the long trip to Caronport, SK, via Medicine Hat, in the hope of securing their first match win of the season against the Briercrest Clippers, who registered a stellar 0.441 hitting percentage in a thrilling five-set triumph over the NWP Wolves on Friday night.

Briercrest raced ahead 9-3 behind the intelligent setting of Bailey Opseth and crisp hitting from all her targets. Anika Dyck and Charlotte Vandenelzen featured on offense for the Ooks, but Faith Buhler matched their efforts with timely kills and roll shots. The hosts stretched their lead as Rachel Stead's serving baffled the Ooks' receivers. NAIT's Karly Burkinshaw provided a brief spark for her squad as she stuffed a backrow effort from Buhler, but the Clippers rode the serving of Brynn Hardy to a quick 25-14 victory.

Set two opened with Clippers' fifth year Kelsey Simes stuffing NAIT's Kayla Zazula and Opseth connecting with Stead on a quick set. Buhler extended the host's lead on her serve before Vandenelzen and Dyck responded. Ooks' setter Kate Krogen found Zazula for a punishing hit, only to have Buhler answer with a thunderous solo block. The lead grew as Kacey De Jong's serve handcuffed the NAIT passers, and Buhler delivered the winning blows to seal the set, 25- 11.

The third frame began with setters Opseth and Krogen distributing their full complement of attacking options. Hitting miscues by Briercrest, combined with spectacular defense from Zazula and seeing eye kills from Dyck, eroded the Clippers' lead. The Ooks amped up their defense, with Burkinshaw, Dyck and Zazula leading the charge, but their feisty effort fell short as the Clippers scored a narrow 25-23 victory to sweep the match.

Players of the Game for NAIT was Karly Burkinshaw, who notched three digs, five kills, and three blocks. Briercrest setter Bailey Opseth expertly orchestrated the Clippers' offense, registering 26 assists, six digs, two kills and two aces, and deservedly collected the award for the home team.