The Briercrest College Clippers managed to make a battle out of it, but a slow start proved to be too much to overcome in their first game at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national women’s volleyball championship in Welland, Ont.
The Clippers – who entered the event as a wild card after losing the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championship final two weekends ago – faced the Quebec champion Bois-de-Boulogne Cavaliers in their opening game and dropped a 3-2 (25-19, 25-14, 14-25, 20-25, 15-4) decision.
All-Canadian setter Ashley Erickson was named the Clippers’ player of the match with a game-high 37 assists while Becky Garner racked up 15 kills to go along with 10 from Mikayla Benterud. Libero Kirsty Kindrachuk picked up 20 digs, Justine Collin had 15.
The Clippers are back in action in their first game on the consolation side, taking on the host Niagara Knights tonight.
ACAC champion The Kings’ College Eagles had better luck in their opening game, winning 3-2 (23-25, 25-12, 25-18, 23-25, 15-6) over the Halifax-based Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics. They play in the semifinal against New Westminster, B.C.’s Douglas College today.