After winning the first game, top team in Canada is too much for Briercrest
By Nick Betzing
November 23rd, 2012
CCAA number one ranked Grant MacEwan University Griffins (6-0) at Briercrest College Clippers (2-6).
Briercrest women’s volleyball started the weekend with a 3-1 loss (21-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-23) against the MacEwan Griffins.
The first set saw both teams come out with a force. The Clippers and Griffins were neck and neck throughout the whole first set. Strong play from both squads had the teams at an even 10-10 score early on, with strong serving from Briercrest’s Angela Wassen and kills from Mikayla Reinhart and Elly Wendel. Whitney Zylstra got on a roll with her serving for Briercrest, as an ace and three consecutive points off the serve gave Briercrest the 20-17 lead. There was no looking back from there, as Briercrest took the first, 25-21.
Briercrest continued their strong play in the early second as the Clippers took a commanding 12-3 lead, thanks to strong serving and exceptional play defensively. Elly Wendel continued to dominate the Griffins with her powerful kills and strong blocking. MacEwan would not back down however, as they came all the way back to tie the game at 21-21. Griffin’s Madison Porisky was on a mission as she had multiple kills to lead her team to win the set 25-21 in an incredible comeback.
The third set started with both teams exchanging points as Briercrest trailed 10-8. The Clippers were not their usual hard-hitting self as their tentative play proved to be their downfall. Porisky once again found holes in the Briercrest defense with kills to lead her Griffins to a 22-15 lead.
Missed serves proved costly as Briercrest fell short with the set ending 25-15. Early in the fourth, the tandem of Erin Anderson and Starlet Peterson made solid contributions as it appeared that Briercrest had their rhythm back. Strong play at the net from Anderson and kills from Peterson kept Briercrest in the game as the teams were tied early with a score of 10-10. MacEwan battled to attain the lead, while Briercrest closely trailed for the remainder of the set. A late surge from Briercrest wasn’t enough on this night, as the Griffins were victorious winning their third set with 25-23.
Players of the Game were MacEwan’s Madison Porisky (5 digs, 14 kills, 1 ace) and Briercrest’s Elly Wendel (10 digs, 13 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace) respectively.
Game notes: After a slow start Grant MacEwan held the edge in kills and digs, 48 to 38 and 56 to 53 respectively, while Briercrest held the edge in service aces and blocks, seven to six and eight to six respectively.
Leaders of the game for Briercrest were the aforementioned Wendel with a team high 13 kills and three blocks, Whitney Zylstra with a match high three service aces and Brooke Peterson with a match high 13 digs.