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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: Jan 28, 2023

Briercrest Ride Effective Team Effort to Win

Box Score
Game Leaders
OC
K: Tabitha Martin - 4
B: Tabitha Martin - 2
D: Kendyl Lengyel - 8
SA: Milan Schapowal - 2
BC
K: Julia Beer - 12
B: 2 Players (#8, #15) - 2
D: 2 Players (#11, #12) - 8
SA: 2 Players (#10, #12) - 3
Team Stats
Full stats

by Jeff Misener

Fresh off a straight set conquest on Friday, the Briercrest Clippers were eager to maintain their winning streak against the Olds College Broncos in women's volleyball action. A victory would lift them into a tie for second place in the tough ACAC South Division, where four teams are vying for three postseason spots.

Briercrest's two graduating players, setter Jess Zacharias and outside hitter Kelsey Simes, opened the match with points on the serve and block, respectively. Zacharias directed the Clippers' offense with her typical veteran savvy; while on the Broncos' side, Lexi Lafreniere headed her squad's attack. Olds' outside hitter Tabi Martin made her presence felt with robust attacking from the left side. An emphatic roof by Clippers' Faith Buhler and timely kills from Julia Beer gave the hosts the set, 25-21.

The second set opened with short offensive exchanges by both teams until Briercrest found success on serve, with Buhler, Beer, and Rachel Stead doing the damage. Meghan Rempel and Rachel Stead patrolled the middle, while Buhler and Beer bombed away from the backrow to push the home squad's lead to ten. Broncos' Milan Schapowal enjoyed success on her attack and on serve. Martin's attack was stifled by Zacharias and Stead, who smartly served out the set, 25-16.

The offensive tide flowed in favour of Briercrest to begin set three as Beer scored on a trio of consecutive opportunities. With Kacey De Jong and Rempel serving, the Clippers discovered a prolonged stretch of serving and attacking efficiency, which they sustained when Brooklyn Buhner subbed in for sister Faith and Bailey Opseth replaced Zacharias at setter. A remarkable dig by Brynn Hardy highlighted a fearless and efficient team effort as Briercrest cruised to their most complete and commanding set of the season, a 25-7 triumph.

Player of the Game for Olds College was Tabi Martin, who registered six digs, four kills and two blocks. Meghan Rempel, who patrolled the middle with authority, notched two digs, five kills, two blocks and an ace in receiving POG recognition for Briercrest.

[As part of the Make Some Noise for Mental Health campaign, Martin gave a very compelling testimony to the ACAC about her mental health journey, and granted permission for her story to be shared in this report (https://acac.ab.ca/sports/wvball/2022- 23/releases/20230117daeoqe ). We wish her continued success in her journey of resilience.]