TKU Eagles comeback in the fifth set to take the match
Red Deer, February 24, 2023 – The Kings University Eagles avoid another last-minute scare as they managed to fight from behind 14-9 and pull off a comeback 18-16 victory against the Ambrose University Lions.
The last time these two teams faced off was back on November 12 when the Eagles would pull away with a five-set victory over the Lions in Calgary which was quite the close battle.
Last night the Lions fell in straight sets to the Lakeland College Rustlers who were the number-one team in the conference and the Kings fell in a heartbreaking five-set match to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.
They both were looking for redemption this afternoon. The Eagles fell behind early but went on a run to take a three-point lead into a timeout called by the Lions. This was thanks to some great serving by All-Conference outside-hitter Sam Lieuwen (Environmental Sciences) who had an ace and a kill while serving four in a row. But out of the short break, the Lions defense came up big for them to stay in the rally and score three consecutive points to tie it up at 14. After some back-and-forth battling between the two teams near the end of the set, TKU pulled away to take the first set 25-19. All-Conference middle-blocker Samantha Silva (Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences) served out the set with six straight serves, including three service aces.
After the Eagles came out of the gate on all cylinders to take an 8-3 lead, the Lions would call a timeout to regroup their team. The Kings University just kept the pedal to the medal throughout most of the second set. But in the late stages, the Lions found another gear and picked up multiple blocks on the Eagles to make it closer than it was at the beginning of the set. TKU would close out the second set with a 25-16 victory after the Lions were called on a net violation.
Even though the Lions were down by two sets, they still managed to start the third set off by going on an incredible five-point run which saw setter Lexi Herrod (Bachelor of Science in Biology) serve four in a row. Herrod was named last nights player of the match in their loss against the Rustlers. But the Kings managed to get back into the match and the set by going on small runs to gain some ground on the Lions. It was Ambrose, however, that took a one-point lead into an Eagles timeout in the late stages of the match. The Lions would later extend their lead to three points after the brief break with some great serving from left-side Taylor Hart (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology). However, TKU scored four straight to take a brief lead but it was the Lions who battled back to take the third set 25-22.
The Lions would take this sudden shift in momentum into their fourth set to jump out to an early lead. As Ambrose went into a timeout called by the Eagles, they were up 13-9. In the late stages of the set, the Lions were playing some great volleyball which led to some mistakes on the Eagles side of the court. But with some incredible serving from Silva, TKU found themselves within striking distance of Ambrose University. But it was the Lions who would take the fourth set 25-21 off Hart's ninth kill in the match.
For the Eagles, this happens to be their second five-set match in as many days and like yesterday, they were up two sets to zero on their opposition and let them back into the match to make it into a five-set thriller.
The Lions had the edge in the final set as they were up 8-5 before the Eagles called a timeout. TKU would fight off five match points to stay in the match and keep their season alive. At 14-14, the Eagles and Lions battled in a rally that lasted for minutes with Hart finishing it off with her 11th kill in the match. But the Eagles went on a nine to two run to keep their season alive and win it 18-16.
Two outside-hitters were named the player of the game. For the Kings, it was Sam Lieuwen who had an outstanding game with 20 kills and 15 digs.
When Lieuwen was at the service line with the match on the line, she had full faith in her teammates to help the Eagles stay in the game. She added that her offense could not have done it without their setter Jordan Betsworth (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology), who ran an effective offense and spread out the hitting duties throughout her team to make it more difficult for the Lions defense.
The Lions player of the game went to fifth-year Madelin Williscroft (Behavioural Science) who had 14 kills and 14 digs.
The Eagles will move on to the relegation finals to face the winner of the other semi-final which features the Briercrest College Clippers and the Lakeland College Rustlers.
As for the Lions, their season is unfortunately finished and will look on to improve this year's results in the 2023/2024 campaign. Congratulations to the Ambrose University Lions on making it this far and an incredible year.