Fifth-year setter Ashley Erickson was named the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Player of the Year during the CCAA national championship banquet on Mar. 11, capping a impressive season and career that saw her emerge as one of the offensive leaders on the team.
Erickson, a two-time CCAA All-Canadian, commanded Briercrest’s offence, which averaged 11.23 kills per set. She ranked second in the conference with 9.05 assists per set and in October became the ACAC’s all-time assists leader with 3,727 assists.
She joined fellow final year players Rebecca Garner and Kirsty Kindrachuk in leading Briercrest College to a 22-2 record and first place in the South Division, emerging as the top-scoring team in the ACAC in the process.
“Ashley is first and foremost a tremendous person whose selfless leadership has set the culture of our team for the past five years,” said Clippers head coach Nolan Weinmaster. “Her whole career, she has been making everyone around her better and giving our team the opportunity to succeed because of the often unnoticed, but incredibly important things she does so consistently well.”
The Clippers also received good news from the men's volleyball side of things, as Karym Coleman was honoured as a CCAA All-Canadian.
A second-year player who hails from Belize City, Belize and plays for the Belizean national team, Colman had earlier won ACAC player of the year honours after leading the league with five points and 4.36 kills per set. He added 36 aces and 119 kills in 91 sets through the season.
“Karym Coleman has been such an asset for our team this year,” said men's volleyball head coach Nigel Mullan. “He has an exceptional ability to rise to the occasion and perform under pressure. He understands how to be effective in many situations and against a variety of opponents. I have also appreciated Karym's desire to see the team be successful and how hard he has worked in games to make that happen.”
Off the court, Coleman values the relationships he’s built during his time in Canada.
“What I have enjoyed about playing on the team is the brotherhood that it brings,” Coleman said. “The guys try so hard to make everyone feel welcomed and important. On and off the court, the guys do things together that build strong bonds and better chemistry. And overall, I like that everyone tries hard to contribute and be a meaningful part of the team.”
The Clippers finished the ACAC season with a 14-10 record and reached the semifinal before falling to Red Deer..
