Clippers Take Bronze in 4

The Bronze medal game in the ACAC men's volleyball Conference Championship was played by the Lethbridge Kodiaks and the Briercrest Clippers. Having faced each other all season, the teams were familiar with their opponents play. The match started with teams trading serves all the way to 5 apiece. There were no sustained rallies or impressive defense from either side early. The first break in the match was by a miscue from the Kodiaks, giving the Clippers control of the serve. Service errors plagued both sides with points being given away. The Clippers struggled slightly less than the Kodiaks with the serve. As such they opened up a 4 point lead midway through the set, forcing the Kodiaks to take a timeout. Lethbridge came out of the timeout looking fired up. This quickly faded again as Briercrest Continued to press. Teams traded points as the score climbed closer to the end, Clippers firmly in control. However, it took the Clippers 3 set point in order to close out the set. With the cushion it did not matter as they won 25-22.

The second set started with very even play again. The Kodiaks appeared to grab a little momentum as they scored 3 straight to lead 6-3. This lead continued as the score approached the midpoint of the game with teams merely trading serves. No real excitement in the set as service errors mounted from both sides. The Kodiaks still held their lead late, they hoped to convert and take the second set to keep their medal hopes alive. A block from Lethbridge extended their lead to 4, forcing the Clippers to take a timeout. Out of the Timeout the Kodiaks continued to roll taking the second set 25-18.

Now a best of three, both teams needed to capture the pivotal third set. The early part of the set both teams struggled to gain an advantage anywhere. The first break came at 11-9 with the Clippers able to make a block and take a small advantage. They held this advantage as the teams moved through the mid part of the set. In the late part of the set, the Kodiaks started to mount a comeback effort. Helped by a missed call the Kodiaks only trailed by 2, 22-20. After a quick timeout, the Clippers regrouped and closed out the set 25-21 only needing one more set for the Bronze.

Not wanting to go to a fifth set, the Clippers came out hard scoring the first 3 points with the serve. The Kodiaks battled right back tying it up and taking the service advantage. This lasted into the middle of the set, where the teams tied at 11 tried to gain an advantage in momentum. The Clippers appeared to be the victim of a blown call as a ball called out by the lines-judge was called in by the Head official. The Clippers used their anger at this call constructively, scoring the next two points one on a roof block. Falling behind, the Kodiaks turned up the heat. With the set tied at 20 each point became more and more crucial. The Clippers held the serving advantage when Lethbridge was called for a double hit. This let the clippers take a 23-21 lead. now 24-22 the Clippers had 2 chances to win the match. They needed both, but Briercrest was able to take the 4^th and decisive set 25-23 winning the Bronze Medal in the Process.