Ooks book spot in semis with four-set win against Kodiaks

The NAIT Ooks punched their ticket to the semi-finals of the 2023 ACAC Men's Volleyball Championship Presented by Elite Sportswear with a four-set victory (25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21) against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks Thursday afternoon at the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

"It was a tough battle," Ooks libero Jared Krogen said. "Both teams played great. Great job to them and great job to us; it was a good fight.

"We know that they're a high-energy team. If we let them have anything they would've taken it. They did in the third set." 

In each of the sets, the Ooks powered their way to early leads with Shae McIntyre and Carter Hills powering their squad while Ross Bishop provided strength down the middle. 

McIntyre led his side with 14 kills in the match, one ahead of Hills. Bishop came close to joining them in the double-digit kill club with nine on his final stat line. 

Felix Dufour also contirubted five kills as part of the Ooks victory. Karter Godin picked up 30 assists while handling setting duties for his side. 

"We played well; we were confident going in," Ooks Head Coach Jordan Taylor said. "We knew Lethbridge is a strong team. They're second in the South Division for a reason. We're happy that we played well and we were mentally prepared for the tough challenge today. 

On the Kodiaks' side, Nolan Moes led his team with 13 kills while Gavin Moes joined him in the double-digit kills club with 11. Adam Revet had eight kills to edge out teammate Shaye Wall, who had seven. Noah Shipton contributed 31 assists while handling setting duties for the Kodiaks.

The Ooks will now advance to face the winner of the Briercrest College Clippers and King's University Eagles matchup from Thursday afternoon. 

Nolan Moes of the Kodiaks and Krogen of the Ooks were named the Players of the Game for their respective sides.