Clippers Redeem Themselves at Home in Nail-Biting Game Against Kodiaks

The Briercrest Clippers came out firing with strong offensive and defensive play in the first set coming out to a 12-6, before a time out was called by the Kodiaks. After the time out, the Kodiaks seemed unable to find an answer for the powerful attack, only finding solace in occasional errors made by the Clippers. After 8 points down the Kodiaks found their stride, scoring 4 straight points before the Clippers called a timeout. After the timeout, the Clippers were re-energized, evident by a nice shot down the pipe by middle TJ Ward, two hanger points given up by the Kodiaks, and a powerful spike by setter Jeremy Martens before a timeout by the Kodiaks at 20-12 for the Clippers. Post-timeout, both teams were trading points back and fourth before the set was won 25-18 by the Clippers off of a rafter point.

Points were traded in exciting rallies to start off the second set before the Kodiaks sprung themselves a 10-6 lead. Points were traded again until a Clipper timeout at 14-9 for the Kodiaks. After the timeout, Briercrest managed to mount a small comeback, getting within three of Lethbridge, before the Kodiaks stretched their lead to 6, at a score of 20-14. Despite the best efforts of Briercrest to cut the lead into a manageable comeback, they were unable to do so, calling a timeout at 23-18. After the timeout, the Kodiaks managed to close out the set due to a service error by Briercrest. Set won by Lethbridge 25-19. 

Set three was marked by nail-biting action, as the teams tied evenly at 10 apiece. The Clippers were soon able to find their groove, going on a 7-1 run, sparked by strong offensive play from outside hitter Davis Borden. At 17-11 for Briercrest, a timeout was called by the Kodiaks. After the timeout the Kodiaks mounted a comeback, going on a 10-5 run to get within one point before Briercrest called a much-needed timeout. The Kodiaks took the lead coming out of the timeout before once again, Briercrest called a timeout to regroup at 23-22 for Lethbridge. After the timeout, Lethbridge capped off the set with two straight points to win 25-22.

Briercrest started strong in the fourth, jumping out to an 8-4 lead, before trading points up to a 16-13 score for Briercrest. The Clippers then went on a 3 point run before the Kodiaks called a timeout at 19-13. After the timeout, the Clippers continued to score their way to a 25-18 set victory.

The Clippers were dominant at the start of the fifth set, burying ball after ball to earn themselves a 6-1 lead before a timeout was called by the Kodiaks. After the timeout, Briercrest continued to assert its dominance, commanding a 13-5 lead. After a few points back and fourth, a Karym Coleman spike ensured a Clipper win with a 15-7 score in the final set.

The players of the game were Jeremy Martens for the Clippers, who contributed 3 kills, 49 assists, 8 digs, and 2 blocks, and Nolan Moes for the Kodiaks with 15 kills, 6 service aces, 13 digs, and 2 blocks. When asked what he thought about the game, Jeremy Martens kept it short and sweet, excitedly exclaiming, "Big dub".