by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips

Heading into the 2017-2018 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Volleyball Championships to be held February 22 - 24, 2018 at Medicine Hat College.

Returning from last year's championships are the Briercrest Clippers, Keyano College Huskies, Medicine Hat Colleges Rattlers, NAIT Ooks, SAIT Trojans and The Kings University Eagles.

Making postseason appearances are the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder and Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

We talked to the coaches from the No. 1 ranked North Division Keyano Huskies and South Division leader SAIT Trojans about this weekend's championships.

Of the fact that the Kings are not represented SAIT Trojans coach Sean McKay said.

"Red Deer has a solid program and even with them gone, it's still one of the toughest tournaments in the CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association).

"We are healthy right now but we struggled with more sickness than anything else. There was a cough and cold going around but we are doing fine now and are ready to go.

"As of late we have become a better defensive team. We are pretty tough on the service line as well and put teams in trouble that way.

"We are very balanced offensively and we have some pretty big middle presence and that is backed up by some of the biggest outsides in the league."

Keegan Kuhr, head coach of the Keyano Huskies, says his team, "Is healthy and have been practicing and look good going in."

He added: "Offensively we can sometime dominate with the block and we are a fairly good serving team as well."

With five graduating student/athletes, including 6-foot-4 right side Blazej Pellowski, who is No. 1 in ACAC career history for kills at 1,108 and No. 2 in ACAC career history in service aces at 161, Kuhr says experience is also a factor.

"I don't see them putting any extra pressure on themselves. They will go out there and play to the best of their abilities."

Below are thumbnail sketches of the teams.

Game 1

Thursday February 22, 2018 1 p.m.

Briercrest Clippers vs. NAIT Ooks

Briercrest Clippers

Matches Won 16 Matches Lost 8 Sets Won 53 Sets Lost 33
ACAC Championships: 1

Top Performers: Jeff Erickson 758
Kills: Taylor Klassen 264
Blocks: Jordan Schnitzer 43
Service Aces: Mitchell Erickson 40
Digs: Dalon Hordyk 153
Assists: Jeff Erickson 758

NAIT Ooks

Matches Won 17 Matches Lost 7 Sets Won 56 Sets Lost 35
ACAC Championships: 4

Top Performers:
Kills: Cole Burkart 256
Blocks: Devon Klein 34
Service Aces: Jordan Teliske 37
Digs: Mitch Lewington 124
Assists: Mitch Lewington 785

Game 2

Thursday February 22, 2018 3 p.m.

Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder vs. SAIT Trojans

Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder

Matches Won 11 Matches Lost 13 Sets Won 44 Sets Lost 47
ACAC Championships: 0

Top Performers:
Kills: Keenan Forstey 256
Blocks: Keenan Forstey 46
Service Aces: Keenan Forstey 31
Digs: Damien Leroy 399
Assists: Trecito Gansan 611

SAIT Trojans

Matches Won 20 Matches Lost 4 Sets Won 63 Sets Lost 30
ACAC Championships: 3

Top Performers:
Kills: Spencer Coulter 272
Blocks: Jackson Oborne 24
Service Aces: Trent Mounter 49
Digs: Steve Guebert 181
Assists: Nathan Goss 879

Game 3

Thursday February 22, 2018 6 p.m.

The Kings University Eagles vs. Lethbridge College Kodiaks

The Kings University Eagles

Matches Won 12 Matches Lost 12 Sets Won 50 Sets Lost 48
ACAC Championships: 0

Top Performers:
Kills: Evan Veldman 293
Blocks: Tyssen Voogd 49
Service Aces: Evan Veldman 26
Digs: Evan Veldman 141
Assists: Chris Graham 584

Lethbridge College Kodiaks

Matches Won 16 Matches Lost 8 Sets Won 60 Sets Lost 31
ACAC Championships: 0

Top Performers:
Kills: Carter Hansen 322
Blocks: Mike Hummel 51
Service Aces: Carter Hansen 36
Digs: Matt Primrose 211
Assists: Zach Wikenheiser 455

Game 4

Thursday February 22, 2018 8 p.m.

Medicine Hat College Rustlers vs. Keyano Huskies

Medicine Hat College Rustlers

Matches Won 13 Matches Lost 11 Sets Won 47 Sets Lost 43
ACAC Championships: 0

Top Performers:
Kills: Vitor Pereira 240
Blocks: Brodie Dolter 51
Service Aces: Vitor Pereira 25
Digs: Kreggan Scharnatta 205
Assists: Chad Sieben 382

Keyano Huskies

Matches Won 21 Matches Lost 3 Sets Won 65 Sets Lost 22
ACAC Championships: 0

Top Performers:
Kills: Blazej Pellowski 206
Blocks: Levi Brunner 63
Service Aces: Blazej Pellowski 39
Digs: Alex Sabourin 248
Assists: Kelly Woods 454