The Briercrest College Clippers women's volleyball team might have found themselves in a bit of a war this past weekend, but they still managed to pick up a pair of victories and solidify their hold on first place in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference South Division standings.
Facing the SAIT Trojans (13-9) in a pair of games at the Margaret P. Reimer gymnasium, the Clippers opened Friday with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 22-25, 15-9) victory. Outside hitter Becky Garner led Briercrest with 22 kills and 13 digs, while Mikayla Benterud racked up 11 kills.
It was an even tougher battle on Saturday afternoon, as the Clippers found themselves down early before rallying for a 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 18-16) win. Garner picked up 14 kills and 14 digs, with Mia Harder putting up 12 kills and Savanna Bowley scooping 12 digs.
The Clippers improved 20-2 on the season, having now won 11 straight matches and sitting comfortably in first place, eight points ahead of Red Deer.
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The Clippers men's volleyball team also picked up a weekend sweep of the Trojans and had a much easier time of it in the process.
Briercrest opened the weekend with a 3-1 (27-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-22) win on Friday. Bryton Codd picked up 17 kills to lead the offence, Mitchell Erickson and Jared Krogen nine digs each.
Things were even more commanding in the match on Saturday, as the Clippers went on to a 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-21) victory. Codd again led the way with 11 kills and six digs.
The Clippers improved to 11-11 with their fourth straight win and are in fifth place in the South Division, two points back of Medicine Hat.
Both Briercrest volleyball teams are back in action Friday and Saturday when they travel to Calgary to face Ambrose College (14-8).
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Briercrest College was unable to hit the win column in a pair of men's hockey contests against University of Alberta Augustana as they fell 7-2 on Friday and 6-5 on Saturday.
The opening contest saw Ben Freere and Austin Kozluk score first period goals, but that would constitute their total offence as Augustana scored five unanswered markers the rest of the way.
Dan Deckoning made 41 saves in the Clippers net.
The rematch Saturday was far closer, as Briercrest rallied in the third period but were unable to find the tying goal.
Dawson Atamanchuk scored twice and added an assist to lead the Clippers, who led 2-0 early and trailed 5-2 heading into the final frame but scored three times to put the pressure on the Vikings.
Austin Kozlun, Joshua Mitton and Josh Boelema all had single goals for Briercrest.
Jeremy Balyk turned in a stunning performance in goal for the Clippers, turning aside 67 shots to keep his team in the game. That included 30 saves in the second period alone.
Penalties likely played a large part in that shot total, as Augustana finished 2-for-12 with the man advantage and the Clippers went 1-for-3.
Briercrest College is back in action against Concordia University Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) at Barkman Arena in Caronport for a pair of games with playoff implications -- the Clippers are now 4-17-1-0 on the season and sit three points back of Concordia for the final playoff spot.
