Lethbridge Kodiaks Sports Info

The Briercrest Clippers regained the momentum when the tide appeared to have turned and rallied for a 25-23 win in the fourth set to complete a three-sets-to-one victory over the Augustana Vikings in opening-round action Thursday at the ACAC Women's Volleyball Championships at Lethbridge College. 

Clippers head coach Rhonda Schmuland said it took her team some time to adjust to the Vikings following the switching of three players by Augustana midway through the third set, which saw the Vikings rally from an 11-7 deficit for a 25-22 win to force a fourth set. 

"It's different styles of play - how they attack, play defence, serve," said Schmuland, noting her players were able to regain their traction "once we adjusted and figured out their (the Vikings') rhythm." 

Briercrest pushed the Vikings' backs against the wall by taking the first two sets 25-20 and 25-23. Augustana held narrow leads in both sets at one stage before the Clippers rallied to win. 

The Clippers started strongly in the third set, building a 14-10 advantage before Augustana charged back to take the set and keep their hopes alive. 

Schmuland credited the Vikings' enthusiastic fan support with helping Augustana turn the momentum in the third set. "Their fans did a fantastic job to create noise" to sustain the momentum. The key for the Clippers in stemming the tide was to stay in the moment and focus on their play. 

"You can get lost in that feeling that the other team is in control," said Schmuland. She credited her team's training, practices and mental toughness with enabling them to regain control of the match. 

Schmuland praised Briercrest's player of the game, outside hitter Brynn Hardy (second year, Bachelor of Arts Psychology), with doing a superb job of running things on the court for the Clippers, and noted libero Alyssa Pavka from Taber (third year, Bachelor of Arts Psychology) came up with key digs. 

"I could say something about all the players," said Schmuland. "I'm just really proud of their performance." 

All-Conference outside hitter Julia Beer (fourth year, Bachelor of Arts Christian Ministry) led the Clippers with 19 kills while setter Abby Ulrich (first year, Bachelor of Arts Business Administration) dished out 36 assists. Brooklyn Buhler (second year, Bachelor of Arts Psychology) came in to serve the final two points in the clinching set. 

Player of the game for Augustana was outside hitter Addi Wolosuk (fourth year, Bachelor of Science - Physical Education) who finished with 11 kills and 10 digs. ACAC South Player of the Year Shae Boyes (fifth year, Bachelor of Arts - Physical Education) led the Vikings with 16 kills and contributed 10 digs. 

Augustana finished the regular-season in second place in the North with a 16-3 record, closing the schedule with a nine-match win streak. Briercrest ranked third in the South at 12-7. The contest featured both of this year's ACAC Coach of the Year winners as Augustana's Steve Enright earned the honour in the North division while Briercrest's Rhonda Schmuland was the South recipient. 

Player of the Game |

Augustana |#20 Addison Wolosuk

Briercrest |#17 Brynn Hardy